In a decisive move to root out deep-seated corruption, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has approved handing over the investigation into the controversial Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment exam to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The decision comes amid revelations that the scam’s tentacles may extend beyond Odisha, potentially involving organised criminal syndicates across multiple states.
The Odisha Police Sub-Inspector recruitment process, intended to bolster the state’s law enforcement ranks, has been mired in allegations of widespread irregularities and bribery since its inception. Initially, the probe was assigned to the Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). However, preliminary investigations have uncovered a disturbing pattern: the corruption network appears to span Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and possibly other states, raising red flags about the involvement of inter-state criminal gangs.
The CM’s office emphasised that the CBI’s expertise is essential to unravel the full extent of the conspiracy, identify all perpetrators, and ensure exemplary punishment to deter future malpractices.
In a broader push for transparency, the Odisha government is also contemplating the establishment of a permanent commission dedicated to recruitment in police and other uniformed services.
