Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), June 13: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a sweeping investigation following a complaint from the Director of Postal Services, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This operation spanned over 67 locations across districts such as Kalahandi, Nuapada, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Bhadrak in Odisha. More than 204 officials, including 122 CBI officers and 82 personnel from other departments, are involved in this extensive effort, underscoring the gravity and scale of the probe.
The objective of the investigation is to expose an interstate organized syndicate allegedly responsible for supplying counterfeit certificates. The CBI registered a case on May 9, 2023, under various sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, based on a complaint by the Postal Department. The complaint accuses 63 candidates involved in the Gramin Dak Sevak Exam, 2023 (Odisha Circle), along with unnamed officials of the postal department and private individuals.
The complaint revolves around the recruitment process for 1,382 Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) positions, where applicants were required to possess a minimum 10th pass certificate from a recognized board and proficiency in the local language. Applications were submitted online starting January 27, 2023, with certificates and mark sheets uploaded to a centralized server. Selection was automated based on 10th standard marks, and successful candidates were notified via SMS and email for document verification prior to final appointment.
During this verification phase, the Odisha Postal Circle allegedly uncovered that 63 applicants from various divisions had submitted falsified 10th pass certificates purportedly issued by boards such as the Board of High School and Intermediate Education, Allahabad, the West Bengal Board, Kolkata, and the Jharkhand Academic Council, Ranchi, among others. The complaint suggests a wide-ranging conspiracy involving the creation and distribution of these forged documents in collusion with the applicants.
The ongoing investigation aims to unearth the full extent of this fraudulent operation and hold all involved parties accountable under the law.
