An anonymous call from outside Odisha, three buses intercepted on the border with Andhra Pradesh, and a day-long interrogation of 117 people helped the police plug an alleged leak in the upcoming police sub-inspector (SI) exam being conducted by the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB). A total of 117 persons, including 114 candidates and three middlemen, were attested by the Berhampur police in Odisha on Wednesday. More than 1.53 lakh candidates have applied for 933 police SI posts under various categories. Although the examination was scheduled for October 5 and 6, it has been postponed due to “unforeseen developments.” Sources said Berhampur Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M received an anonymous call from outside the state, with information about suspicious activities around the upcoming examination. Police were told that 117 persons had boarded three special AC sleeper buses from Bhubaneswar to travel to an undisclosed location in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh. After receiving the tip-off, the Berhampur SP, accompanied by senior police officers, intercepted the buses near the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border early Tuesday morning. On verification, it was found that among the 117 passengers, 114 had applied for the SI examination. Instead of arresting them immediately, the police brought all of them to Berhampur for questioning, for which Crime Branch officials also joined. “During interrogation, it was revealed that all of them are engaged in an organised crime of sabotaging the upcoming police SI examination. Their plan was to get the confidential question paper in Vizianagaram and then come back to Bhubaneswar and appear for the exam in their respective centres,” said a senior police officer. The candidates had agreed to pay Rs 25 lakh each in instalments – Rs 10 lakh initially and the rest once the job is confirmed. They have been booked under sections of cheating, forgery, organised crime and criminal conspiracy. Police have also invoked sections of the Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, which can lead to imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. “As it was found that more agents are involved in this racket, further investigation is being done. We are also investigating why the candidates were taken to Vizianagaraam,” said a police officer.
