The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday initiated simultaneous searches at nine locations across Odisha in connection with the multi-crore Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination scam.
The operations target properties associated with key accused, including the residence of alleged middleman Munna (Muna) Mohanty in Kalapathar (currently in jail), premises linked to Shankar Prusty of Panch Soft Technologies, and Suresh Nayak of Silicon Tech.
The searches aim to trace the money trail and financial transactions worth crores of rupees allegedly linked to irregularities in the recruitment process.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the case, has already filed chargesheets against several individuals. The scam first came to light in late September 2025 when Brahmapur police intercepted three buses near the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border carrying over 110 SI aspirants and middlemen. Investigations revealed an organised network that allegedly promised candidates access to leaked question papers or manipulated the exam process in exchange for payments ranging from ₹20–25 lakh per aspirant.
The Combined Police Service Examination (CPSE) 2024, scheduled for October 5–6, 2025, and aimed at filling around 933 posts (including 609 police SIs), was cancelled following the revelations. The Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) had outsourced the exam conduct to ITI Limited, which further subcontracted work to Silicon Techlab and Panchsoft Technologies. Over 120 people, including aspirants and middlemen, were arrested in the early stages of the probe by state police and Crime Branch before the case was transferred to the CBI due to its inter-state dimensions.
CBI investigations have also brought the role of senior IPS officer Susanta Nath, former chairman of the OPRB, under scrutiny. The agency has examined aspects of the examination process, including the roles of the recruitment board and private agencies involved.
The ED action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) marks a significant escalation in efforts to uncover the financial dimensions of one of Odisha’s largest recent recruitment controversies. Further details from the ongoing searches are awaited.
