The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has embarked on a sweeping investigation into the alleged forgery of certificates in the context of postal recruitment in Odisha.
· This probe, triggered by a complaint from the Director of Postal Services, Bhubaneswar, has precipitated searches at more than 67 locations spread across various districts of Odisha.
· The CBI disclosed that over 204 officials are involved in this operation, comprising 122 officers from CBI and 82 personnel from other departments.
· The case revolves around the recruitment process for 1,382 Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) positions. Online applications opened on January 27, 2023, with requirements including a 10th pass certificate from any recognized board and proficiency in the local language.
· During Odisha Postal Circle’s verification process, a disconcerting revelation surfaced: 63 candidates from various postal divisions had allegedly submitted forged 10th pass certificates.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has embarked on a sweeping investigation into the alleged forgery of certificates in the context of postal recruitment in Odisha. This probe, triggered by a complaint from the Director of Postal Services, Bhubaneswar, has precipitated searches at more than 67 locations spread across various districts of Odisha, encompassing Kalahandi, Nuapada, Rayagada, and others.
In a statement, the CBI disclosed that over 204 officials are involved in this operation, comprising 122 officers from CBI and 82 personnel from other departments. This expansive mobilization underscores the gravity and scope of the investigation, signaling the agency’s unwavering commitment to unraveling the intricate web of deceit woven around this scandal.
The genesis of this investigation dates back to May 9, 2023, when the CBI registered a regular case under sections 120-B, 420, 468, and 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), in conjunction with section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018). This action was prompted by a complaint lodged by the Postal Department, implicating 63 candidates in the Gramin Dak Sevak Exam, 2023 (Odisha Circle), alongside unnamed officials of the postal department and private individuals.
At the crux of the case lies the recruitment process for 1,382 posts of Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS), wherein online applications were invited on January 27, 2023. The eligibility criteria stipulated a minimum qualification of a 10th pass certificate from any recognized board, coupled with proficiency in the local language. Applicants were mandated to upload their certificates and mark sheets to a centralized server, with selection predicated on the automated evaluation of 10th standard marks.
However, during the subsequent verification process conducted by the Odisha Postal Circle, a disconcerting revelation emerged. It came to light those 63 candidates from diverse postal divisions had purportedly submitted forged or counterfeit 10th pass certificates. These documents, allegedly issued by boards such as the Board of High School and Intermediate Education, Allahabad, and the West Bengal Board, Kolkata, among others, cast a pall of suspicion over the integrity of the recruitment process.
The complaint proffers a disquieting suggestion, hinting at the involvement of an interstate racket complicit in the fabrication and dissemination of these spurious certificates, in connivance with the implicated candidates. As the investigation unfolds, the CBI remains steadfast in its resolve to ferret out the truth and bring the perpetrators of this audacious fraud to justice.
(With inputs from agencies)
