Odisha SI recruitment scam: Arrested SSB Jawan, posted at Lok Seva Bhawan, earlier served at a former CM’s residence

In the latest development in the alleged multi-crore Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam, the Crime Branch, on Saturday, arrested SSB jawan Biswaranjan Behera in connection with the case. 

Behera, a 2018-batch constable of the Special Security Battalion, was posted at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar at the time of his arrest. Official sources said he was earlier deployed for security duties at the residence of a former Chief Minister.

Following this, a Pandora’s box has opened with the Crime Branch now suspecting and opening a fresh line of inquiry into possible involvement of serving security and police personnel in the syndicate that allegedly sold police jobs.

Crime Branch sources described Behera as a close associate of alleged middleman Muna Mohanty and said his detention has produced leads about how brokers coordinated with on-ground facilitators during the recruitment process.

Digital Evidence Seized; Financial Trails Sought

Sources reported that investigators have seized mobile phones and other electronic devices and are analysing call data records, messages and financial transactions to map communications and money flows.

Crime Branch officers indicated that forensics on seized devices could reveal contacts between brokers and any serving personnel who facilitated access to confidential examination material or other privileged information.

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Earlier Arrests And Modus Operandi Reported

The Behera arrest follows a series of earlier detentions linked to the scam. Police records show that 114 candidates and three middlemen were arrested in prior operations, with two more middlemen being nabbed yesterday.

As per the information available so far, several aspirants were reportedly taken out of state to coaching centres and, in some cases, their certificates were retained as collateral until bribe payments were made.

Allegations include that the brokers demanded up to Rs 25 lakh per candidate for guaranteed selection, though the precise amount varied by case, and the investigation is ongoing.

As per the last reports, despite recent arrests, the alleged ringleaders, Shankar Prusty and Muna Mohanty, remain absconding, officials said.