Anonymous Tip Exposes Massive Odisha SI Exam Cheating Racket: 114 Aspirants Intercepted en Route to Andhra

A clandestine network designed to subvert the sanctity of the Odisha Sub-Inspector (SI) examination has been dramatically dismantled, thanks to a single, anonymous phone call. This crucial tip-off set in motion a swift and decisive operation by the Odisha Police’s Special Task Force (STF), culminating in the interception of three buses carrying a staggering 114 aspiring candidates who were allegedly being ferried to Andhra Pradesh to facilitate mass cheating.

The intricate plot began to unravel on a Sunday night when the STF received an anonymous alert detailing a sophisticated exam fraud.

The caller reported that a significant number of SI exam aspirants were being transported out of the state, specifically to Andhra Pradesh, where they would be provided with pre-solved answers or other illicit means to clear the highly competitive examination. This revelation immediately triggered a high-alert response from the STF.

Acting on the credible intelligence, multiple STF teams were strategically deployed across various checkpoints, including critical points along the Odisha-Andhra border.

Their vigilance paid off swiftly as they successfully intercepted three suspicious buses. Upon inspection, the authorities were stunned to discover 114 young individuals inside, all of whom confessed to being aspirants for the upcoming SI examination and admitted they were on their way to Andhra Pradesh for organized cheating.

Preliminary investigations have shed light on the alarming scale of the operation.

These aspirants, primarily hailing from districts like Bolangir, Sambalpur, and Bargarh, were reportedly part of a larger scheme orchestrated by a nexus of fraudulent coaching centres and criminal elements. For a hefty sum, allegedly ranging from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per candidate, the masterminds promised guaranteed success in the SI exam, which is a gateway to a coveted career in law enforcement.

The modus operandi involved transporting the candidates to so-called ‘safe houses’ or specialized coaching facilities in Andhra Pradesh, where they would either be provided with answer keys before the exam or guided through other illicit means to ensure high scores.

This discovery not only exposes the desperation of some candidates but also highlights the audacity and technical sophistication of these organized rackets.

In a significant breakthrough, the STF has so far apprehended six alleged masterminds behind this elaborate cheating racket. Among those arrested are individuals with diverse backgrounds, including a government employee, suggesting a wider network of influence and corruption.

A former CRPF jawan is also reportedly among the detained, further illustrating the varied profiles of those involved in perpetrating such frauds.

All 114 intercepted aspirants were taken into custody for questioning, and the three buses used for their transportation have been seized as part of the ongoing investigation.

The incident has sent shockwaves across Odisha, raising serious concerns about the integrity of public examinations and the future of countless honest aspirants. Authorities have assured that no stone will be left unturned in unearthing the full extent of this criminal enterprise and bringing all culprits to justice, reaffirming their commitment to upholding fairness and transparency in recruitment processes.