CBI chargesheet in Odisha Police SI exam scam exposes systemic failure, OPRB under scanner

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a 60-page preliminary chargesheet in the Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination scam, exposing large-scale manipulation and systemic failures in the conduct of the exam. The chargesheet names 16 accused and is supported by 120 witness statements and 171 pieces of evidence.

According to the CBI, serious irregularities were committed in the preparation and printing of question papers. Silicon Techlab Private Limited, appointed as a third-party agency to provide logistical support, allegedly overstepped its mandate. Its Managing Director, Suresh Nayak, is accused of manipulating the question paper process.

The Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) was responsible for preparing and printing the question papers, while Silicon Tech was tasked only with logistics such as CCTV installation, manpower deployment, and vehicle arrangements. Despite this, the question papers were printed at Saraswati Printing Press in Kolkata at the direction of Suresh Nayak.

The chargesheet states that although OPRB had decided to print only one set of question papers, Suresh Nayak advised printing an additional set. OPRB officials accepted the proposal and allowed an alternative set to be printed. During this process, Suresh Nayak allegedly replaced the alternative set with the main set and got it printed, enabling manipulation. The printed papers were later stored at the Sixth Battalion's strong room in Cuttack.

The CBI has raised serious doubts over the role of the OPRB, questioning why its officials failed to verify the sealed question paper packets. OPRB Superintendent of Police Balabhadra Deep and Section Officer Gautam Prasad Behera were interrogated, but investigators reportedly received no satisfactory explanation.

The agency is also probing why the question papers were printed in Kolkata and how Silicon Tech was permitted to influence crucial decisions related to printing multiple sets. Investigators are examining whether OPRB officials were deliberately negligent or failed to detect the conspiracy despite clear warning signs.

The CBI has identified Shankar Prusty, owner of Panchsoft Technologies, as the mastermind behind the scam. Though Silicon Tech secured the tender from ITI Limited, the actual work was illegally subcontracted to Panchsoft without the knowledge of authorities.

Prusty allegedly obtained the question papers well in advance and used middlemen including Arbind Das, Muna Mohanty, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Trinath Jena to strike deals with aspirants, demanding Rs 25 lakh per candidate to secure selection as Police SI.

As part of the conspiracy, 114 candidates were sent to Andhra Pradesh, while arrangements were made to send several others to Digha and Mandarmani in West Bengal before the examination. The investigation also revealed that the original certificates of paying candidates were collected.

"Since the question papers were leaked, the scam became possible. If OPRB authorities were responsible, it raises a serious question as to how the question papers were leaked in the first place. This aspect must be thoroughly and impartially investigated," said former DSP Sarat Chandra Sahu.

Also Read: Odisha Police Sub-Inspector exam in limbo amid ongoing CBI investigation

The chargesheet has been filed against 16 accused, including Shankar Prusty, Suresh Nayak, Muna Mohanty, Bishwa Ranjan Behera, Arbind Das, Priyadarshini Samal, Sagar Goud, Biranchi Nayak, Arjun Nayak, and Nitish Kumar.

Witnesses include accused candidates and their family members, bus staff involved in transporting candidates, hotel managers and staff from West Bengal, and officials linked to the recruitment process.

However, no chargesheet has yet been filed against Amit Bharati, who was arrested in Bihar. Meanwhile, the CBI has indicated that more individuals may be named as the investigation progresses.