Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, the Crime Branch in Odisha has intensified its investigation into a major Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam, making fresh arrests and uncovering a complex network of corruption. This multi-crore racket has exposed deep flaws in the police hiring process and sparked widespread protest. 
Despite these arrests, the alleged masterminds, Shankar Prusty and Muna Mohanty, continue to evade capture. Police believe this duo orchestrated the sale of police jobs, exploiting aspirants through a well-knit network of brokers.
Investigations reveal that the accused promised candidates guaranteed selection in the now-postponed Combined Police Service Examination (CPSE), 2024. The modus operandi involved:
· Financial Demand: Each candidate had agreed to pay a total of ₹25 lakh for the illicit service—₹10 lakh as an advance and the remaining ₹15 lakh upon final selection.
· 'Special Coaching': Candidates were allegedly taken to undisclosed locations in Andhra Pradesh for 'special coaching,' where they were promised access to confidential question papers.
· Certificates as Collateral: The aspirants' original educational certificates were reportedly held as collateral until they completed their payments.
Odisha Police SI Recruitment Scam Flowchart
This layered delegation, especially to a firm now linked to a prime suspect, has raised critical questions about accountability and oversight within the recruitment system.
Investigation and Oversight
In response to the scandal, the Odisha Police Recruitment Board has postponed the written examination for the SI posts, which was originally scheduled for October 5 and 6. This is the second time this exam has been postponed, causing distress to the 1.53 lakh genuine applicants who sought 933 police positions.
To ensure a thorough probe, the Odisha Crime Branch has taken over the investigation. The agency has appointed DSP Ratnaprava Satpathy as the investigating officer, who will operate under the supervision of SP Anil Kumar Beuria. The case has been registered under various sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
The incident has also sparked a political firestorm. The opposition BJD has accused the ruling BJP government of complicity, claiming that the prime suspect, Shankar Prusty, is a member of the BJP. The BJP has dismissed these allegations, with state president Manmohan Samal stating that the government believes in transparency, which is why it postponed the examination upon uncovering the sabotage.
As the Crime Branch investigation continues, the focus remains on arresting the absconding masterminds, tracing the full financial trail of the scam, and identifying any other officials who may be involved. The outcome of this probe is eagerly awaited by thousands of honest candidates whose futures hang in the balance.
Key Developments and New Arrests
The Crime Branch recently arrested two more individuals believed to have acted as middlemen in the scam. Authorities will produce them in court and have seized crucial digital evidence from them, which investigators expect will help them trace the broader network involved in the fraudulent racket.Despite these arrests, the alleged masterminds, Shankar Prusty and Muna Mohanty, continue to evade capture. Police believe this duo orchestrated the sale of police jobs, exploiting aspirants through a well-knit network of brokers.
How the Scam Operated
The scam came to light after a tip-off to the Chief Minister's Office led police to intercept three buses near the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border on September 30. The buses carried 114 police job aspirants and three middlemen.Investigations reveal that the accused promised candidates guaranteed selection in the now-postponed Combined Police Service Examination (CPSE), 2024. The modus operandi involved:
· Financial Demand: Each candidate had agreed to pay a total of ₹25 lakh for the illicit service—₹10 lakh as an advance and the remaining ₹15 lakh upon final selection.
· 'Special Coaching': Candidates were allegedly taken to undisclosed locations in Andhra Pradesh for 'special coaching,' where they were promised access to confidential question papers.
· Certificates as Collateral: The aspirants' original educational certificates were reportedly held as collateral until they completed their payments.
Systemic Vulnerabilities Exposed
The scandal has put the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) under intense scrutiny for its outsourcing of the examination's administrative and technical tasks. The chain of subcontracting created serious transparency issues:Odisha Police Recruitment Board
OPRB
ITI Limited
Central PSU
Silicon Techlab
Bhubaneswar-based firm
Panchsoft Technologies
Reportedly controlled by key accused Shankar Prusty
This layered delegation, especially to a firm now linked to a prime suspect, has raised critical questions about accountability and oversight within the recruitment system.
Investigation and Oversight
In response to the scandal, the Odisha Police Recruitment Board has postponed the written examination for the SI posts, which was originally scheduled for October 5 and 6. This is the second time this exam has been postponed, causing distress to the 1.53 lakh genuine applicants who sought 933 police positions.
To ensure a thorough probe, the Odisha Crime Branch has taken over the investigation. The agency has appointed DSP Ratnaprava Satpathy as the investigating officer, who will operate under the supervision of SP Anil Kumar Beuria. The case has been registered under various sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
Public Outcry and Political Fallout
The scam has triggered significant anger and disappointment. Hundreds of job aspirants held a demonstration in Bhubaneswar, accusing the OPRB of gross negligence and alleging that corruption within the system enabled the large-scale malpractice.The incident has also sparked a political firestorm. The opposition BJD has accused the ruling BJP government of complicity, claiming that the prime suspect, Shankar Prusty, is a member of the BJP. The BJP has dismissed these allegations, with state president Manmohan Samal stating that the government believes in transparency, which is why it postponed the examination upon uncovering the sabotage.
As the Crime Branch investigation continues, the focus remains on arresting the absconding masterminds, tracing the full financial trail of the scam, and identifying any other officials who may be involved. The outcome of this probe is eagerly awaited by thousands of honest candidates whose futures hang in the balance.
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