In a fresh development in the Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment exam scam, the CBI court has approved a three-day remand for four main accused individuals. The CBI had initially sought a four-day remand, but the court granted permission for three days only.
The four accused were arrested by the Odisha Crime Branch on October 18. They include brokers Loknath Sahu, Tafim Ahmad Khan, SSB jawan Biswa Ranjan Behera, and Biswaranjan Harichandan, who have been identified as key figures in the scam. These individuals allegedly assisted candidates in travelling to Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh and Digha in West Bengal, where the fraudulent activities took place.
The scam involved leaking question papers to around 110 candidates, with each paying between Rs 35,000 and Rs 10 lakh for jobs in the police force. According to reports, the mastermind, Shankar Prusty, was arrested on November 1, followed by the arrest of Silicon Tech company owner Suraj Nayak on November 3.
The CBI took over the investigation on November 12 and registered an FIR on November 13, naming 114 candidates among others. So far, the CBI has interrogated 12 candidates, with eight more slated for questioning. A total of 12 accused have been arrested in connection with the case.
Following the court’s decision, the CBI plans to intensively question the four accused to uncover more hidden details about the scam. The investigation remains ongoing.
In a related update, the SI scam case has been transferred from the Berhampur JMFC court to the CBI court, with approval granted for the shift. The 12 accused, including Shankar Prusty, Suresh Nayak, and Muna Mohanty, have been moved from Berhampur Circle Jail to Jharpada Jail.
Case records were handed over on Tuesday, while on the 22nd, two SI exam candidates were interrogated by the CBI for five hours after receiving a summons. They appeared at the CBI office in the morning and provided their statements.
