CBI raids Sambalpur University professor's home in NAAC bribery investigation

Bhubaneswar, Feb 4: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) intensified its inquiry into the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) bribery case on Tuesday by searching the residence of Bulu Maharana, a professor at Sambalpur University.

This follows Maharana's recent arrest as part of a larger operation that netted ten individuals linked to the scandal.

CBI officials conducted a thorough investigation at Maharana's official residence in Jyoti Vihar, Sambalpur, where they sought further evidence related to the case. Previously, investigators had sealed his home after the arrest and had also searched his office at the university, uncovering various documents pertinent to the investigation.

Maharana, who teaches in the Library Science department, was part of a six-member team that evaluated an educational institution in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. The CBI's actions are part of a broader effort, having arrested a total of ten individuals suspected of accepting bribes to secure an A++ accreditation for the institution. The agency has conducted searches nationwide, uncovering evidence of alleged bribes that included cash, gold, mobile phones, and laptops.