CBI probes massive forgery in Odisha Postal Recruitment Exam | Fusion - WeRIndia

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a significant probe into allegations of certificate forgery in the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) postal recruitment exams conducted in Odisha last year.

On Thursday, the agency conducted searches at over 67 locations across various districts in the state.

Sources within the CBI revealed that 63 candidates and several unknown postal department officials have been implicated.

The investigation pertains to the recruitment exam from the previous year, where 63 candidates from postal divisions were found to have submitted forged Class 10 certificates and marksheets.

The CBI raids followed the registration of a case involving multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The case, lodged by the director of postal services in Bhubaneswar, includes charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, and bribery.

The CBI stated that more than 204 officials, participated in the raids due to the investigation’s scale and seriousness.

The search teams aim to dismantle an interstate-organized gang responsible for providing these fake certificates.

The recruitment aimed to fill 1,381 GDS posts, with online applications invited from January 27, 2023.

Candidates needed a Class 10 pass certificate and proficiency in the local language.

They were required to upload their certificates and marksheets to a centralized server, and selection was automated based on Class 10 marks.

Selected candidates received notifications via text and email, asking them to report for document verification within 15 days.

During this process, officials discovered several candidates had submitted forged certificates.

These fake certificates were allegedly issued by various boards. The CBI’s statement suggested an interstate racket’s involvement in creating and supplying these forged certificates in collusion with the candidates.

Official sources noted that many candidates, claiming to have secured 98 to 99 per cent marks in matriculation had struggled with basic English. It prompted the postal department to file a complaint.

Odisha Police had earlier ordered a crime branch inquiry into the allegations in April last year, resulting in at least 19 arrests.

The CBI’s ongoing investigation aims to bring to light the full extent of the forgery and the individuals involved.

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