Odisha Police SI recruitment scam: Accused Muna Mohanty escapes Crime Branch net

In a dramatic turn of events, one of the main accused in the controversial Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam, Muna Mohanty, narrowly escaped being nabbed by the Odisha Crime Branch on Thursday.

Also Read: Police SI recruitment scam: Mastermind Shankar Prusty fled to Dubai via Nepal, seeks anticipatory bail

Acting on a tip-off, officials had raided a farmhouse in Daspalla, Nayagarh, where Muna was believed to be hiding.

However, before the team could carry out a full-scale raid, Muna managed to flee. Sources revealed that two of his close aides, Sukanta Maharana alias Rinku and Srikanta Maharana, were also present at the hideout but all three evaded capture just in time.

The Crime Branch suspects that their arrest could lead to major revelations in the SI exam irregularities case, which has already rocked the State recruitment process. Investigators continue to track their movements as pressure mounts to bring all culprits to justice.

No comments were received from the Odisha Crime Branch in this regard.

Worth mentioning, in a significant development earlier yesterday in the police recruitment scam, Shankar Prusty, alleged to be the mastermind behind the job fraud racket and head of Panchsoft Company, has approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail.

Alongside Shankar, his wife Deeptimayi Sahu and the suspected middleman Muna Mohanty have also filed similar petitions.

According to sources close to the investigation, Shankar Prusty is currently absconding and is believed to be hiding in Dubai.

Reports indicate that Shankar fled India via Nepal shortly after the scam surfaced, raising questions about how he managed to leave the country despite being a key suspect.

The massive recruitment scam had come to light on September 27, revealing large-scale irregularities in the Odisha Police SI examination process.

Following the exposé, several individuals, including candidates and intermediaries, were taken in for questioning, while the Special Task Force (STF) and Vigilance officials intensified their probe.