Odisha SI recruitment sabotage: Crime Branch freezes accounts, issues lookout for absconders

The Crime Branch on Monday intensified its investigation into the Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam with new measures against the absconding accused.

A lookout circular has been issued to apprehend the key suspects, and the accounts of the accused, including Shankar Prusty and Munna Mohanty, along with eight others, have been frozen to prevent financial transactions.

Seized digital devices, including mobile phones and computers recovered from brokers involved in the scam, have been sent to the forensic laboratory for analysis. Other digital devices recovered during raids are also undergoing forensic examination.

The Crime Branch anticipates that the forensic reports may provide critical leads to uncover the full extent of the recruitment fraud.

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Meanwhile, four special teams have been deployed to continue raids in Jharkhand and Bihar, where some of the accused are believed to be hiding. Despite these efforts, the absconding accused has not yet been arrested. Officials remain hopeful that once the chart and data backups of the brokers are recovered, detailed information about the scam will emerge.

The investigation has also begun targeting other candidates and job aspirants suspected of involvement. Reports indicate that several aspirants may have been complicit in the fraudulent activities. The Crime Branch has already started arrests and questioning of these individuals as part of the wider probe into the recruitment scandal.

Authorities continue to stress that strict action will be taken against all involved to ensure justice.