CBI Intensifies Probe Into Odisha Police Recruitment Scam
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has secured three-day custodial remand of four key accused in the alleged Odisha sub-inspector recruitment scam. The development marks a significant escalation in the probe that has exposed a sophisticated cash for job operation targeting police recruitment in the state.
Key Accused in CBI Custody
The CBI court granted three-day remand for interrogation of Biswa Ranjan Behera, Lokanath Sahoo, Fafim Ahammad Khan and Biswaranjan Harichandan. While the investigative agency had initially sought four days of custody, the court approved three days for detailed questioning.
According to defense advocates familiar with the case, the accused will face intensive interrogation about their specific roles in the alleged conspiracy. The CBI particularly needs to question Behera and Sahoo to trace the money trail and uncover the broader conspiracy angle that might extend beyond state borders.
Suspended Constable's Central Role
Investigators have revealed that Biswa Ranjan Behera, a suspended police constable, played a crucial role in the scam by allegedly colluding with middlemen to lure candidates. His responsibilities included collecting original certificates and blank cheques from 114 candidates who were arrested on October 1 by Berhampur police.
In exchange for these documents, Behera promised candidates access to question papers for the examination. The probe agency stated that Behera systematically passed these documents to his superiors within the crime syndicate, indicating a well-orchestrated conspiracy where he executed tasks as directed by higher-ups.
Expanding Investigation Scope
The CBI took over the investigation from the state crime branch on November 12 and has already questioned several candidates, including some currently out on bail. While the initial state investigation focused on intra-state connections among candidates, middlemen, and local conspirators, the federal agency is now looking at a potentially larger multi-state conspiracy involving an organized network.
Job aspirants have demanded expanded investigation and scrutiny of possible involvement of officials from Odisha Police, Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB), and a Kolkata-based central Public Sector Undertaking that was awarded the contract to conduct the Combined Police Service Examination (CPSE) 2024.
The recruitment drive aimed to fill 933 posts including 609 police sub-inspectors, 253 armed sub-inspectors, 47 fire station officers and 24 assistant jailers.
Examination Process Compromised
Investigations have revealed that the Kolkata-based PSU sub-contracted the examination process to a Bhubaneswar-based firm owned by Suresh Nayak, one of the accused currently in judicial custody. Nayak subsequently outsourced the task to another company owned by Shankar Prusty, who has also been arrested.
The examinations, originally scheduled for October 5 and 6, were abruptly cancelled on September 30. This cancellation came hours after Berhampur police detained 114 candidates who were allegedly en route to Hyderabad to access answers from leaked question papers.
The case continues to develop as the CBI digs deeper into what appears to be an extensive network exploiting the police recruitment process in Odisha.
