Balangir, Sept 18: In a major crackdown on fraudulent employment in Odisha’s education sector, the Crime Branch has launched a sweeping investigation into fake teaching certificates used to secure government jobs in several districts in the state, an official said on Thursday.

The probe, led by Additional SP Vikas Ranjan Beuria, has uncovered a widespread scam involving forged documents and unauthorized appointments across multiple departments.

Crime Branch Raids
Acting on intelligence reports, the Crime Branch team conducted a surprise raid at the District Education Officer’s office in Balangir. The operation targeted individuals allegedly employed as teachers using counterfeit certificates. The Education Department had previously issued directives to all DEOs to verify credentials following rising complaints.

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Manoj Mishra Nexus
The investigation revealed that fake certificates were being produced at Reliance Education Complex, operated by Manoj Mishra. Earlier, Mishra, along with 19 accomplices, was arrested for forging documents used in job applications across postal, cooperative, agriculture, and forest departments. Verification processes exposed the fraudulent nature of these certificates.

Widening the Probe
The scandal has spilled beyond Balangir. In Angul district, Jitendra Mallik, a teacher at Kantapali High School, was found using a fake certificate from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, which the university later denied issuing. Similar cases have emerged in Kalahandi, where five teachers allegedly used fake B.Ed certificates to get government jobs.

Public Outcry
The Odisha High Court has instructed swift action against fake teachers. Public figures like RTI activist Nilamani Joshi and VHP leader Santosh Bhol have voiced concerns over the integrity of the education system.The Crime Branch continues to open case files and expand its investigation, a senior official said.