In a significant development in the Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET) question paper leak case, the Additional District and Sessions Judge in Cuttack has rejected the bail applications of two accused individuals, Jitan Maharana and Prashant Khamari.
Maharana, a data entry operator at the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), and Khamari, a suspended teacher, had sought bail in connection with the scandal that has rocked the state’s education system. The court’s decision was based on the evidence and documents submitted by the Crime Branch, which is investigating the case.
The OTET paper leak case has drawn widespread attention, with the Crime Branch arresting a total of eight individuals so far. All accused are currently lodged in Choudwar Jail. Among them, the bail applications of seven have already been rejected by the court. Meanwhile, the bail hearing for Nihar Ranjan Mohanty, the former Vice-President of the BSE and the prime accused in the case, is scheduled for Tuesday, raising anticipation about the court’s next move.
The scandal has raised serious questions about the integrity of the examination process in Odisha, prompting calls for stricter oversight and reforms in the education system. The ongoing investigation by the Crime Branch aims to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy and hold those responsible accountable.
