ED Widens Probe Into Odisha SI Exam Paper Leak, Targets OPRB Links And Private Firms
Bhubaneswar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into the alleged Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination paper leak, expanding its probe to include possible links involving officials of the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) and several private firms associated with the conduct of the examination.
The anti-money laundering agency recently conducted searches at multiple locations across Odisha and West Bengal as part of its ongoing investigation into the recruitment scam.
The raids covered premises connected to Silicon Techlab Private Limited (STPL), Panchsoft Technologies Private Limited, and PSIL International Limited, companies that were involved in various aspects of the examination process.
According to the ED, evidence gathered during the searches points to an organised network allegedly involved in leaking confidential examination-related information to candidates in exchange for large sums of money.
Investigators are also tracking the money trail to determine how the alleged illegal proceeds were generated and utilised.
The agency is examining assets that may have been acquired through the proceeds of the crime under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED’s findings indicate that the Odisha Police Recruitment Board had entrusted the conduct of the SI examination to ITI Limited, which subsequently outsourced certain responsibilities to Silicon Techlab Private Limited.
The probe alleges that STPL further engaged Panchsoft Technologies Private Limited for handling sensitive candidate-related data without obtaining the necessary approval from ITI Limited.
The agency further alleged that individuals linked to STPL and Sankar Prusty approached candidates with promises of providing confidential examination materials in return for hefty payments.
Investigators have also alleged that PSIL International Limited acquired a controlling stake in STPL without informing ITI Limited.
Additionally, STPL director Suresh Chandra Nayak is accused of continuing to access examination papers without authorisation.
The money laundering case stems from an Odisha Police FIR registered after authorities intercepted three buses carrying 114 candidates near Ichchapuram in Andhra Pradesh.
The candidates were allegedly promised access to leaked examination papers after paying amounts ranging between ₹15 lakh and ₹30 lakh.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had earlier examined the matter and reportedly filed a chargesheet highlighting irregularities in the conduct of the examination.
Following the controversy, the Odisha Police Recruitment Board cancelled the examination.
With the ED now expanding its investigation into the role of recruitment officials, private vendors and the money trail, the case is expected to uncover the full extent of one of Odisha’s biggest recruitment-related scandals in recent years.
