Precautions ensured Odisha Police SI recruitment exam is not compromised: DGP Khurania

Odisha DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania on Thursday said that due to the timely vigilance and coordinated monitoring by multiple police units, the Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination remained uncompromised despite a large-scale attempt to ‘sabotage’ the process.

The DGP’s remarks came during the 70th State Police Duty Meet in Cuttack. During an interaction with the press, the DGP stated that Odisha Police was able to detect and halt examination proceedings before anyone could secure a job unfairly.

“During the SI exam recruitment proceedings, we had directed the SPs, Crime Branch, and Special Branches of all districts to maintain vigil and ensure that the recruitment exam was conducted smoothly and fairly. Because of these precautions, the offenders were caught before the exam,” said the DGP.

He also stressed that the Crime Branch, which is now heading the probe into a spiralling job-selling racket, will nab all the accused and restore the integrity of the recruitment process.

“The Crime Branch is now handling the investigation, and I have full faith that they will complete a proper probe and nab all the accused,” he added.

Crime Branch Tasked With Full Investigation

The DGP confirmed that the Crime Branch has taken charge of the case and is carrying out an impartial probe to identify and arrest all individuals connected with the racket. Investigators are coordinating with technical experts to trace digital evidence, verify examination data, and track absconding candidates who attempted to cheat through remote-access software and manipulated admit cards.

Sources said the Crime Branch is now preparing a comprehensive chargesheet, expected to include the names of candidates, brokers, and company personnel allegedly involved in tampering with the recruitment system.

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Mastermind Shankar Prusty Fled to Dubai via Nepal

Meanwhile, Shankar Prusty, identified as the alleged mastermind behind the recruitment fraud and head of Bhubaneswar-based Panchsoft Company, is reportedly absconding. He has filed an anticipatory bail petition before the Orissa High Court, along with his wife Deeptimayi Sahu and associate Muna Mohanty.

It is worth noting that the scam came to light on September 27, uncovering large-scale irregularities in the recruitment process conducted by the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB). Investigations revealed that nearly 300 SI posts were allegedly sold through a network of middlemen and brokers.

Around 114 candidates were intercepted from buses on their way to exam centres, while 186 others, who travelled by train, managed to escape and remain absconding. Crime Branch officials have already compiled a detailed list of these candidates and are actively tracing them.