The Odisha High Court announced on Friday that it would not grant bail to 14 individuals implicated in the Assistant Section Officer (ASO) examination fraud, including key suspects Shankar Prusty and Suresh Nayak.

This ruling ensures that all accused will remain in judicial custody while the investigation is ongoing.

This decision represents a significant moment in one of the largest recruitment scandals in Odisha, which involves the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC). The accused are suspected of being part of a scheme that involved leaking exam questions and altering the selection process.

Authorities had previously detained multiple individuals connected to this scandal, which has undermined public trust in the state’s recruitment procedures. Notably, both Shankar and Suresh are also implicated in a separate police sub-inspector exam fraud, compounding the severity of their allegations.

In response to the High Court’s ruling, defense attorneys expressed their disappointment and suggested they might seek an appeal with the Supreme Court. The case has sparked intense reactions among job seekers and young people throughout Odisha, many of whom are calling for accountability from government officials and examination bodies.