Odisha Police SI exam ‘sabotage’: Shankar Prusty, Muna Mohanty under scanner in multi-crore recruitment fraud

The probe into the multi-crore Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam has revealed fresh details, with investigators zeroing in on the alleged masterminds behind the racket. So far, police have arrested 114 candidates and three middlemen in connection with the fraud.

 Preliminary findings indicate that the scam was operated by a network of brokers who struck deals with aspirants, reportedly demanding Rs 25 lakh from each candidate in exchange for securing their selection.
 
Aspirants were allegedly taken outside Odisha for ‘special coaching’, while their original certificates were seized as collateral until payment was completed.

Investigators have also identified Shankar Prusty and Muna Mohanty as key figures linked to the scam. Both are accused of running a well-organised network that targeted desperate job seekers. Police believe at least 10–12 other middlemen may have played a role in the racket.

The controversy has also put the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) under the spotlight. Though OPRB initially handed over the responsibility of conducting the exam to ITI Ltd., the task was later subcontracted to Silicon and subsequently to Panchsoft Pvt. Ltd., a firm reportedly headed by Shankar Prusty. This layered subcontracting has raised serious questions about transparency in the recruitment process.

With 933 posts advertised, the scam is believed to have run into crores of rupees. The Crime Branch is continuing its investigation to determine whether influential officials were also complicit in the scandal.

Also Read: Odisha Police SI exam ‘sabotage’: Aspirants stage protest in Bhubaneswar, demand CBI probe

Odisha BJP Chief Responds 

Responding to Opposition criticism over the alleged large-scale irregularities in the Odisha Police SI recruitment process, BJP State President Manmohan Samal said, if the ruling party had any involvement in the scam, why would we cancel the examination ourselves? 

“If we are involved in the scam, then why would we cancel the examination? This is not a one-time issue but a chronic disease. To cure it, a full-fledged operation is required; applying ointment will not work,” Samal said.