Odisha SI Exam Scam: Officers’ Kin Among Those Arrested as Probe Deepens
In a startling revelation, the Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment process has been rocked by a widespread cheating scandal.
The Crime Branch has arrested several candidates, including children of serving and retired police officers, for their alleged involvement in the scam.
Two key suspects—Shankar Prusty and Muna Mahanti—remain absconding, suspected of orchestrating fake certifications and deploying proxy candidates.
Brokers operating from Brahmapur reportedly collected original documents from aspirants, promising guaranteed selection. The role of private firms, including Silicon Pvt Ltd, is under scrutiny, with owner Suresh Nayak already interrogated.
The scam’s reach extends to Bargarh district, where five arrested candidates hail from villages under Bijepur, Bhoytikra, Talpadar, Jokhipali, and Kumhari police stations. Locals allege broker-led manipulation in the exam process.
Following intervention from the Chief Minister’s Office, the SI exam scheduled for October 5–6 was cancelled. Police intercepted three buses carrying 114 candidates outside Odisha, triggering protests in Bhubaneswar.
Authorities have pledged a transparent and fair recruitment process moving forward.
As the investigation unfolds, more arrests and revelations are expected, casting a shadow over the integrity of the state’s police recruitment system.
