The CID Crime Branch of Odisha has arrested another teacher in the Kalahandi district related to the Special OTET-2025 question paper leak scandal.
The accused has been identified as Prasant Kumar Khamari (56), son of Panchanan Khamari, hailing from Jenakhalpada under Bhawanipatna police limits in Kalahandi district.
He was apprehended on July 31 for his alleged involvement in orchestrating the leak of handwritten question papers that surfaced across social media platforms ahead of the scheduled examination on July 20.
🔍 Key Findings from Investigation:
- Khamari, a government teacher at UP School in Bhejipadar, Bhawanipatna, is accused of conspiring with:
- Bijay Kumar Mishra, Ex-Cadre Working President of State Ex-Cadre Teacher Association
- Sanatan Bisoi, President of Ex-Cadre Teachers Association, Koraput district
- Others, including a data entry operator, Jitan Moharana, of the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha
- The accused reportedly acquired a computerised version of the question paper from Moharana and transcribed it in his own handwriting to mimic authenticity.
- He then targeted vulnerable teachers who had previously failed the Special OTET exam, selling them the leaked paper to earn illicit profits.
💰 Financial Trail Unearthed:
- Preliminary analysis revealed a transaction of Rs 99,000 made via PhonePe to co-accused Bijay Kumar Mishra.
- The amount had been collected in cash from unsuspecting teachers; Khamari’s financial accounts are now under verification.
📱 Evidence Secured:
- Crime Branch officials seized the accused’s mobile phone.
- Handwriting samples were collected in the presence of witnesses and will be sent for examination to the Handwriting Bureau and Cyber Forensic Lab.
👥 Ongoing Probe:
- Earlier, six others had already been arrested and forwarded to JMFC-III, Cuttack.
- Khamari was also produced before the Learned Court of JMFC-III.
- Investigations are continuing to uncover further links and roles of other individuals implicated in the leak.
The swift action by the Crime Branch on credible intelligence signals a tightened crackdown on exam malpractice in the state’s education system. Authorities remain vigilant as forensic and digital evidence is being scrutinised to strengthen the case.
ALSO READ: Special OTET 2025 Paper Leak: 6 Accused Nabbed by Crime Branch
