Odisha Police SI Recruitment scam: CBI summons aspirants

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) stepped up its investigation into the Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) Recruitment Examination scam, tightening the noose on Monday around those allegedly involved.

Also Read: Odisha Police SI recruitment Scam: Crime Branch clean chit to Silicon Tech Lab raises question

According to sources, crucial details related to the Silicon Tech Lab Private Limited (STL) and Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) are likely to be revealed soon.

As part of the ongoing probe, the CBI has issued summons to several more examination aspirants. These candidates have been asked to appear before the CBI officials shortly to present their statements and clarify their roles, if any.

Investigators will collect information from the aspirants once they appear at the CBI office. Based on the inputs and evidence gathered, the agency will decide the future course and direction of the investigation.

Earlier, the CBI had already filed charge-sheets against the accused persons in connection with the scam. The case has triggered widespread concern, as alleged irregularities have raised serious questions about the transparency and integrity of the recruitment process.

“CBI has been carrying out the investigation. As I told you (the media) now, CBI is not God. The task of the probe agency is to collect evidence from people and those who are (allegedly) involved. CBI does not have any machine (magic wand) that will help reveal who is involved (in the scam),” CBI legal advisor, R.N Panda, said to mediapersons.

Worth mentioning, earlier, the Odisha Crime Branch had issued a clean chit to Silicon Tech (STL) in connection with the Police Sub-Inspector (SI) examination, even as subsequent CBI chargesheet alleged large-scale manipulation of the recruitment process.

This development came to light on January 10, following access to official documents related to the certification granted to the private firm. According to documents accessed by OTV, the Crime Branch had issued a character certificate to Silicon Tech Lab, following which the company was entrusted with conducting the Police SI examination.

The Crime Branch certificate had also stated that the firm’s head, Suresh Nayak, was a “decent and knowledgeable person”.