In a major breakthrough, the Odisha Crime Branch has arrested six individuals in connection with the Special OTET-2025 question paper leak, including Jitan Moharana, a Data Entry Operator at the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Cuttack.
The others arrested are:
Bijay Kumar Mishra, Working President of the State Ex-Cadre Teacher Association
Sanatan Bisoi, President of the Koraput District Ex-Cadre Teachers Association
Ram Jee Prasad Gupta
Ajay Kumar Sahoo
Jayanta Kumar Rout
According to Crime Branch DG Binaytosh Mishra, the probe began when the BSE Vice President noticed handwritten notes identical to the official OTET question papers circulating on Facebook on July 19, leading to the postponement of the examination.
Investigations revealed that Jitan Moharana had illegally accessed the Vice President’s laptop to retrieve the confidential question papers. These were shared with the other accused and reportedly sold to OTET aspirants, particularly those seeking job regularisation and salary hikes.
Authorities have uncovered a financial trail, with Moharana receiving Rs2.5 lakh via PhonePe UPI transfer, in addition to other cash payments. Multiple mobile phones, electronic devices, and copies of the leaked question papers have been seized.
Officials suspect the involvement of a wider inter-district network, and further arrests are likely as the investigation expands.
