While nine persons have already been arrested in connection with the sensational question paper leak racket, several others have been held during the probe. They are being interrogated at present and more arrests are likely to be made by the police.

Stating that the mastermind in the racket is from outside the state, Balasore Superintendent of Police Sagarika Nath told reporters that separate teams of police personnel have been sent to two states as part of efforts to nab all those involved in the racket.

She said involvement of anyone from the OSSC has not come to light during the investigation so far and it has been found that people mostly from outside the state are behind the whole racket.

Those apprehended in Odisha in the case essentially acted as middlemen and agents, while the main accused are from outside the state, the SP said. The racket had spread its tentacles in several states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh.

“Thorough investigation is underway to nab the mastermind behind this unlawful act. We will soon reveal all the names when other accused are taken into custody,” Nath said.

Several aspirants are also being questioned in this connection. Details of many aspirants have been sought in order to gather information about the exact modus operandi adopted by the racketeers.

Tthe accused had contacted some aspirants of the JE Civil main entrance examination. They assured to provide them question papers for the examination in exchange of money ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh to be paid through cheques. The accused had asked the aspirants reach Balasore and even collected original documents, mobile phones and signed blank cheques from them.

It may be noted here that the OSSC on Sunday cancelled the JE (civil) main written examination-2022 after receiving confirmation from police on the question paper leak. The exam was conducted on July 16.

Abhay, Chairman of OSSC, in a tweet on Sunday, said, “The Commission has decided to cancel the Main Written Examination for JE (Civil) conducted on July 16, 2023 as a part of Combined Technical services Recruitment Examination 2022. Fresh main written examination for JE (Civil) will be conducted on September 3.”

The OSSC cancelled the examination on the recommendation of Balasore SP Sagarika Nath following investigation into allegation of question paper leak before the JE written examination.

Speaking to media persons, the SP said during investigation into a massive fake job racket, the police came to know that the question paper for the JE Civil main written examination was leaked the day before the test. “On comparison of the leaked question papers and original question papers, it was confirmed that both were same. Following this, we informed the OSSC about leak of the question paper for the JE examination,” she said.

Nath also said the police have already arrested 9 persons in connection with the job fraud while its mastermind, who is absconding, has been identified. A search has been launched to arrest him. “It has also been revealed that the arrested persons were running the same racket in other states. They were taking Rs 8-10 lakh from each candidate to supply the question paper,” she added.

It may be noted that the police busted Rs 1 crore fake job jacket with the arrest five persons, including two women, in Balasore in April. They allegedly duped over 150 youths with the promise of jobs in government and private sectors. Four of the accused were identified as Debabrata Mallick, Samita Panda, Sambit Kumar Panda and Sushil Kumar Mohanty.