In a significant development in the Odisha sub-inspector recruitment scandal, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday made its first arrest. The agency took into custody Biranchi Kumar Nayak (43), who is alleged to be a key middleman in the case that led to the cancellation of a major police recruitment drive.
The Alleged Scam and the Arrest
Biranchi Kumar Nayak, a resident of the Kalarahanga area near Patia in Bhubaneswar, was arrested by the CBI. He is accused of approaching numerous candidates aspiring for police posts. Investigators claim he promised these candidates access to the question papers for the Combined Police Service Examination 2024 in exchange for money.
The recruitment process, which aimed to fill 933 positions across various roles, was abruptly called off by the state government on September 30. The examination was scheduled to be held on October 5 and 6. The posts included 609 police sub-inspectors, 253 armed sub-inspectors, 47 fire station officers, and 24 assistant jailers.
Modus Operandi and Investigation Breakthrough
A CBI source revealed details of Nayak's alleged operations. "Nayak took some aspirants to Digha and Sunderban in West Bengal in March this year. He colluded with several other middlemen to entice candidates," the source stated. His involvement came to light during the interrogation of four other individuals: Biswa Ranjan Behera, Lokanath Sahoo, Fafim Ahammad Khan, and Biswaranjan Harichandan.
These four were taken on a three-day remand by the CBI on November 26. The questioning of these suspects reportedly provided crucial leads that pointed directly to Nayak's role as a central figure in the alleged racket.
Implications and Next Steps
This arrest marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing probe, confirming the agency's move from investigation to actionable prosecution. The CBI is expected to delve deeper into the network of middlemen and examine the entire chain of the alleged scam. Key questions remain about the source of the leaked question papers and the total number of candidates who may have been approached.
The cancellation of the exam had caused major disappointment among thousands of aspirants across the state. This arrest signals the beginning of a legal process that aims to uncover the full extent of the corruption that compromised the recruitment for these coveted government posts.
