Major Police Recruitment Exam Scam Uncovered: Arrests and Political Fallout

Criminal Syndicate Exposed in Police Exam Scandal

In a significant development, the CID Crime Branch has revealed a sophisticated criminal network that aimed to disrupt the Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination for financial benefits.

The investigation into the alleged leakage of question papers for the SI and equivalent examinations, organized by the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB), uncovered a systematic operation designed to undermine the integrity of the process.

Authorities have arrested Biswaranjan Behera, a 29-year-old from Bidyadharpur in Cuttack district, bringing the total number of arrests to 118. Previously, 117 individuals, including candidates, were detained and presented in court.

Behera, identified as a key player in the syndicate, reportedly reached out to potential candidates under the direction of the group's leader.

Investigators revealed that Behera collected original educational certificates and blank cheques from candidates, promising them access to the leaked question papers. He subsequently passed these documents to his superior within the organization.

The evidence suggests a well-orchestrated criminal conspiracy led by the syndicate's leaders.

Following his interrogation and the recovery of incriminating evidence, Behera was arrested on October 3 and subsequently presented before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (R) in Berhampur on Saturday.

The investigation is ongoing, with multiple teams actively pursuing the main conspirator, who remains at large.

The SI police examination, originally scheduled for October 5 and 6, has been postponed by the OPRB. The case, initially handled by the Berhampur police, has now been transferred to the Crime Branch.

In a strong critique of the state government for its alleged mishandling of the police recruitment exam, opposition parties including BJD, Congress, and CPI(M) have called for a CBI and judicial inquiry into the examination scandal.

During a press conference at Shankha Bhawan, BJD general secretary Pritiranjan Gharai and Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) president Chinmay Sahu accused the recruitment process of being tainted by pervasive corruption, exacerbated by outsourcing.

Gharai noted that the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) initially assigned the examination to an ITI but later outsourced it to two private firms lacking the requisite experience.

He asserted that this outsourcing was a calculated move by the state government to facilitate corruption.

Gharai emphasized that since police department officials are implicated in the case, the Crime Branch should not conduct the investigation.

He insisted that an impartial inquiry could only be guaranteed if the case is handed over to the CBI, urging the Chief Minister to act swiftly to demonstrate his government's commitment to transparency.

Similarly, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has demanded a CBI investigation into what they describe as a massive Rs 300 crore recruitment scam.

Congress leaders, including Debasis Nayak, Sonali Sahu, Bibhuti Bhusan Mohapatra, and Manisha Das Pattnaik, alleged that an interstate racket is behind the exam scandal, criticizing the BJP government for institutionalizing corruption and claiming that jobs were sold for between Rs 25–50 lakh each.

They pointed out that despite numerous exam paper leaks, including those for OAS, OTET, and RI & Amin tests, no senior officials or ministers have been questioned.

The party has called for OPRB chairman Sushant Kumar Nath to be investigated and has requested compensation and a monthly allowance of Rs 20,000 for the affected candidates.