SI recruitment scam: Most wanted accused Muna Mohanty arrested

In a major breakthrough in the Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam, the most wanted middleman, Muna Mohanty, was arrested by the Odisha Crime Branch on Thursday, after he gave a slip to the probe team during a surprise raid on a farmhouse where he was hiding.

Also Read: Odisha Police SI recruitment scam: Accused Muna Mohanty escapes Crime Branch net

Muna was picked up from near Daspalla in Nayagarh district, hours after narrowly escaping the raid earlier in the day.

According to official sources, two of Muna’s close aides, Sukanta Maharana alias Rinku and Srikanta Maharana, have also been arrested. In total, today, three individuals were taken into custody in connection with the scam.

After their arrest, all three have been taken to Berhampur for further interrogation as the probe into the massive recruitment scam continues to widen. Muna’s role is believed to be central to the alleged manipulation of the police recruitment process.

No comments were received from the Odisha Crime Branch in this regard.

The arrest comes amid mounting pressure on law enforcement agencies following public outcry over the SI exam irregularities that surfaced late last month.

Worth mentioning, acting on a tip-off, officials had raided a farmhouse in Daspalla, where Muna was believed to be hiding. However, before the team could carry out a full-scale raid, Muna managed to flee.

In a significant development yesterday in the police SI recruitment scam, Shankar Prusty, alleged to be the mastermind behind the job fraud racket and head of Panchsoft Company, has approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail.

Alongside Shankar, his wife Deeptimayi Sahu and the suspected middleman Muna Mohanty have also filed similar petitions.

According to sources close to the investigation, Shankar Prusty is currently absconding and is believed to be hiding in Dubai.

Reports indicate that Shankar fled India via Nepal shortly after the scam surfaced, raising questions about how he managed to leave the country despite being a key suspect.