Odisha SI exam scam: Polygraph test of mastermind Shankar Prusty likely after contradictory statements; hearing today

The Odisha Crime Branch’s petition seeking polygraph tests on Shankar Prusty, the alleged mastermind of the Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam, and Suresh Chandra Nayak, owner of Silicon Tech, will come up for hearing in the JMFC Rural Court, Berhampur, today. 

Investigators say both men gave contradictory statements during interrogation, prompting the move for lie detection.

Crime Branch Moves Court Citing Conflicting Answers

According to sources, the Crime Branch filed its application after Prusty and Nayak allegedly changed their versions during questioning. The agency believes the polygraph tests will help verify their statements and reconcile inconsistencies.

Both accused were remanded to judicial custody on November 4, following multiple rounds of interrogation. The agency told the Court that the accused failed to cooperate despite being confronted with evidence and often attempted to mislead investigators.

Prime Accused Arrested Near Indo-Nepal Border

Prusty, who heads Panchsoft Technologies, was arrested late last month in Uttarakhand, close to the Indo-Nepal border, after evading arrest for over a month. Officials said he had been changing locations frequently and was allegedly planning to flee abroad via Nepal before being detained.

He was brought to Bhubaneswar and interrogated at the Crime Branch headquarters in Cuttack. Investigators also questioned him face-to-face with another accused, Muna Mohanty, last week to trace how recruitment data was tampered with during the examination process.

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Investigation Widens Amid Political Pressure

The Odisha Police SI recruitment scam has widened into one of the state’s largest examination fraud cases, involving alleged data manipulation and middlemen. So far, ten middlemen have been arrested, while nine agents remain in judicial custody. Earlier, 114 candidates arrested for alleged involvement were granted bail.

Given the scale and sensitivity of the case, the Chief Minister has formally recommended a CBI probe to ensure transparency and credibility in the investigation.

The JMFC Rural Court will deliver its order on the polygraph application later today.