Bhubaneswar, November 12: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Crime Branch has arrested two persons for impersonating as State Home Department officers and cheating at least 38 police job aspirants of Rs 1.47 crore, said an EOW statement.
The arrested persons identified as Baikunthanath Naik and Bhimsen Moharana were being forwarded to the court of SDJM, Bhubaneswar today.
According to the EOW, this case was registered on the complaint of one Badal Kumar Raula against Baikunthanath Naik, Bhimsen Moharana and two others for fraud, forgery and cheating of Rs 1.47 crore from 38 job aspirants including the complainant on the pretext of enlisting their names in the supplementary selection list of Combined Police Service Examination-2013 by impersonating as Assistant Section Officer and other senior officials.
“Investigation so far revealed that the complainant, Badal Kumar Raul and 37 other victim aspirants had appeared in Combined Police Service Examination, 2013 (CPSE-2013) conducted by Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OPSC) for the post of Sub-Inspectors of Police (SI), Sergeant and Deputy Subedar. The final merit list of the selected candidates published in December, 2016. There was an impression that there would be a second/ supplementary list,” it said.
The victims who had appeared the viva-voce test became hopeful of getting the job in case of publication of any supplementary list. The fraudsters exploited this situation. Baikuntha Naik, impersonated as Assistant Section Officer, Home Department, Bhimsen Moharana, impersonated as high official of Home Department and two others having contact with higher officials. The accused persons in pursuance of the criminal conspiracy gave false assurance to the victim aspirants to enlist their name in the supplementary selection list.
“In the process, accused Baikuntha Naik had shown them fake Identity Card of ASO and demanded Rs 5 to 6 lakh from each of them. Being persuaded, the complainant and others collected money and paid the amount to fraudsters. During the period from May 2020 to November 2020, the accused persons took Rs 1.47 crore from them. The amount was paid both through account and in cash. It was also revealed during investigation that accused Bhimsen Moharana has retired as the Senior Grade Recorder from Higher Education Department,” the statement added.
“During house search of the accused Baikunth Naik, many incriminating documents including 12 ATM Cards as well the fake ID card of ASO has been seized. All bank accounts have been frozen. Investigation of the case is continuing to identify and nab other accused persons involved in this case and also in similar frauds,” informed the EOW.
