Crime Branch Clears STL in SI Exam Scam, Raises Eyebrows Over Timing

The Odisha Crime Branch has issued a clean chit to Silicon Tech Lab Pvt. Ltd. (STL) in connection with the police Sub‑Inspector (SI) recruitment exam scam.

The agency not only absolved STL of wrongdoing but also issued a character certificate praising its chief, Suresh Nayak, as a “gentle and knowledgeable person.”

This clearance allowed STL to manage the SI recruitment exam, despite the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleging that exam manipulation preparations had begun as early as March 2025.

According to the CBI charge sheet, candidates paid nearly Rs 25 lakh each for unfair advantages.

STL had previously conducted recruitment exams for jail warders and High Court Assistant Section Officers (ASO).

The Crime Branch’s decision on August 4, 2025, has sparked questions about oversight, accountability, and the credibility of recruitment processes in Odisha.

Observers argue that the timing of the clearance, coming amid serious allegations, could undermine public trust in competitive examinations and the institutions tasked with safeguarding their integrity.