Bhubaneswar: Saheed Nagar police have arrested a 22-year-old man from Haryana for allegedly obtaining a job at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) in VSS Nagar here, by using a proxy candidate to appear in the recruitment examination, officials said Saturday.
The accused, identified as Sachin Kumar of Jind district in Haryana, was arrested in connection with a case registered July 17 following a complaint lodged by IHM Principal Sharada Ghosh. Police said the institute conducted a written examination and skill test for the post of Lower Division Clerk June 30.
Sachin had topped the recruitment process and was subsequently issued an appointment letter. However, after receiving information that a proxy candidate had appeared in the examination on his behalf, the institute sought police assistance to verify his identity before allowing him to join.
During the verification July 17, investigators examined CCTV footage, attendance records, the application form and other recruitment documents.
The inquiry revealed that the person who appeared for the examination was different from the individual who reported to join the post. During interrogation, Sachin allegedly confessed that one Anuj Sharma alias Singh had appeared in the examination on his behalf under an agreement to receive Rs 7–8 lakh after the job was secured.
Police also found the alleged involvement of Sachin’s uncle, Sumer Singh, and cousin, Navneet Singh, in the conspiracy. Police seized Sachin’s original admit card, appointment letter, educational certificates, Aadhaar card, an iPhone, examination records and other recruitment documents.
His handwriting and signature samples have been collected and sent for forensic examination.
