Odisha Hands Over Police SI Recruitment Scam Probe To CBI Amid Inter-State Crime Links

In a major development, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has decided to hand over the investigation into the controversial Police Sub-Inspector recruitment exam scam to the Central Bureau of Investigation

(CBI).

The recruitment process has faced serious allegations of large-scale irregularities and corruption.

The investigation was initially led by the Crime Branch CID, which has already found evidence suggesting the scam may have links beyond Odisha, including in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. There are also strong suspicions of involvement by inter-state organised criminal networks.

Given these findings, the Chief Minister has recommended that the case be handed over to the CBI to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation, with the goal of bringing all those involved to justice.

The government is also considering setting up a permanent recruitment commission for police and other uniformed services to help prevent such scams in future.

The scam first came to light on 29 September, when Berhampur police stopped a bus headed to Andhra Pradesh and detained over 114 SI aspirants from Vijayawada.

A formal case was registered at Golonthara Police Station the next day, and the Crime Branch took over the case two days later. So far, 123 people have been arrested in four phases.

However, the alleged mastermind, Shankar Prusty, is still on the run. Just last week, the Crime Branch arrested his close aide, Muna Mohanty, along with several others.