Has the CBI Taken Over the Investigation of the Multi-Crore Odisha Police SI Recruitment Scam?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- CBI investigation initiated for thorough inquiry.
- 123 arrests made in connection with the scam.
- Suspicions of inter-state connections in the fraud.
- Plans for a permanent commission to ensure recruitment integrity.
- Ongoing efforts to apprehend the main suspect.
Bhubaneswar, Oct 22 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, has mandated a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the extensive Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination fraud, as revealed in a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office on Wednesday.
The official announcement highlighted that serious allegations of significant irregularities and corruption have emerged surrounding the Odisha Police Sub-Inspectors recruitment examination.
The initial investigation was assigned to the Crime Branch-CID of the state police. Preliminary findings indicate that the scam may have connections beyond Odisha, particularly involving Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.
Moreover, it is suspected that inter-state organized criminal networks might also play a role in this extensive scam.
“Given these developments, the Chief Minister has opted to hand over the investigation to the CBI to ensure a comprehensive inquiry, full exposure of the fraud, and strict penalties for all individuals implicated,” stated the CMO.
Additionally, the state government is considering the establishment of a permanent commission for the recruitment of personnel in police and other uniformed services to guarantee transparency and accountability in future hiring processes.
It is important to note that, to date, 123 individuals accused of involvement in the SI recruitment scam have been arrested by the Odisha Police.
The police apprehended four individuals, including the primary accused Muna Mohanty, Srikatna Moharana alias Rinku, T. Abhimanyu Dora, and Priyadarsini Samal, on October 17.
During their investigation into the suspected leakage of question papers for the upcoming Combined Police Service Examination (CPSE)-2024, conducted by the Odisha Police Recruitment Board, authorities discovered that the accused Muna Mohanty was orchestrating a crime syndicate with the assistance of other accomplices under the direction of the main suspect Sankar Prusty, Director of Panchsoft Technologies Private Limited, based in Patia in Bhubaneswar, to undermine the entire SI recruitment examination process through illicit means.
The scam was uncovered after police intercepted three buses carrying 114 candidates and three agents in neighboring Andhra Pradesh on the night of September 29.
The principal suspect, Prusty, who was in Delhi at the time of the arrest of the 114 candidates and agents, remains at large, and efforts are underway to apprehend him.