Is Sankar Prusty the Mastermind Behind the Odisha SI Recruitment Exam Scam?
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Key Takeaways
Bhubaneswar, Nov 2 (NationPress) The alleged mastermind behind the multi-crore Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination scam, Sankar Prusty, was apprehended by the state's Crime Branch in Uttarakhand. On Sunday, he asserted his innocence, claiming a conspiracy has been orchestrated against him.
The Crime Branch team successfully transported Prusty back to Odisha on the same day. Upon his arrival at Bhubaneswar Airport, he addressed the media, stating, "I will disclose all details about the individuals involved in this conspiracy. I have not been evading justice; I sought bail from the High Court. All accusations against me are unfounded."
Prusty also refuted any affiliations with the other accused parties in the investigation.
According to an official announcement from the Odisha Police on Sunday, the Crime Branch made significant progress by arresting Prusty, aged 32, who hails from Jagannathpur Junction, under the jurisdiction of Chamkhandi Police Station in Ganjam district.
Prusty, who serves as the Director of Panchsoft Technologies Private Limited in Patia, Bhubaneswar, is believed to have orchestrated the SI recruitment examination scam in collusion with associates Muna Mohanty, Srikanta Maharana (also known as Rinku), Arabinda Das, T. Abhimanyu Dora, and Priyadarsini Samal.
It is noteworthy that after the police dismantled the scam by arresting 114 candidates and three middlemen in Andhra Pradesh on the night of September 29, Prusty, who was then in Delhi, fled the scene.
A team from the Odisha Crime Branch captured Prusty near the Nepal border in Uttarakhand on Saturday while he was attempting to escape the country.
Reports indicate he was planning to flee to Dubai.
Previously, the Crime Branch had issued lookout notices for Sankar Prusty and his close associate, Muna Mohanty, in relation to the SI recruitment examination scam.
However, the police successfully arrested Mohanty and several others from the Dasapalla region of Nayagarh district last month.
On Sunday, the Odisha Police confirmed that the Crime Branch seized incriminating documents, a Fortuner vehicle, expensive mobile devices, and a passport from Prusty's possession.