In a significant development in the Police Sub‑Inspector recruitment exam scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has written to the Odisha Government seeking permission to interrogate Susanta Kumar Nath, IPS (RR‑1993), currently serving as DG Prisons.
Nath was the Chairman of the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) when the controversial exam was conducted on October 5–6, 2025. The CBI letter highlights the role of OPRB and the exam‑conducting agency, noting that their involvement is under investigation.
The probe also extends to ITI Limited, the public sector agency entrusted with exam management, and its subcontractors Silicon Techlab and Panchasoft Technologies, where irregularities were allegedly detected.
The scam surfaced in late September 2025 after Berhampur police arrested 114 candidates near the Andhra Pradesh border, accused of paying large sums for leaked question papers. The Crime Branch initially investigated, arresting hundreds of aspirants and middlemen, before the case was handed over to the CBI due to interstate links.
CBI sources said permission is being sought under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act (2018 amendment) to question ITI officials first, followed by Nath. Allegations include manipulation in the printing process and a syndicate charging Rs 15–25 lakh per candidate for access to leaked papers.
The role of OPRB has long been under scrutiny, with critics questioning why senior officials were not named in earlier charge sheets. The fresh CBI letter has once again brought Nath’s role into focus.
