Bhubaneswar, May 23: The Orissa High Court on Friday rejected the bail pleas of 17 accused, including prime accused Muna Mohanty, in the alleged Combined Police Service Examination-2024 scam case. Observing the gravity of the allegations, the court stated that bail could not be granted at the present stage of the investigation.

However, the High Court directed Muna Mohanty to surrender before the lower court within three weeks. Mohanty had earlier secured interim bail on medical grounds.

The Combined Police Service Examination notification was issued in 2024, following which allegations of question paper irregularities and large-scale malpractice in the recruitment process surfaced. Subsequently, the probe was handed over to the Crime Branch.

During the investigation, 17 persons, including Muna Mohanty, were arrested for their alleged involvement in the scam.

Meanwhile, Mohanty’s counsel informed the court that he had undergone surgery and required additional time for complete recovery. Taking note of the medical condition, the High Court allowed him three weeks’ time to surrender before the lower court.