Police SI recruitment scam: Mastermind Shankar Prusty interrogated face-to-face with Muna Mohanty

The probe into the Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam on Sunday entered a crucial phase with the prime accused Shankar Prusty being interrogated face-to-face with Muna Mohanty at the Crime Branch office.

Muna, who was earlier taken on five-day remand, is being questioned further by the investigation team to uncover key details about the alleged manipulation of the recruitment process.

After remaining absconding for over a month, Prusty was arrested late Saturday night from Uttarakhand, near the Nepal border, by the Crime Branch. He was subsequently brought to Bhubaneswar from Delhi and is now being interrogated at the Cuttack Crime Branch headquarters.

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According to sources, Prusty had been frequently changing locations to evade arrest and was allegedly planning to flee to Dubai via Nepal before being nabbed. His capture was the result of a coordinated operation by the Crime Branch and state police.

A native of Ganjam, Prusty reportedly headed Punchsoft Company, which played a central role in tampering with recruitment data. So far, 10 middlemen have been arrested in connection with the case.

Earlier, 114 candidates arrested for their alleged involvement were released on bail, while nine agents remain in judicial custody.

Given the magnitude and sensitivity of the scam, the Chief Minister has recommended a CBI investigation to ensure a transparent and impartial probe into the matter.