Bhubaneswar, Odisha: In a significant operation targeting organized malpractice in Odisha’s Sub-Inspector recruitment process, Odisha Police have arrested a total of 120 people. This includes 117 candidates, 2 drivers, and 1 middleman. The police launched this operation in response to the SI exam scam.The arrests are part of a crackdown on a well-planned attempt to sabotage the upcoming Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) Sub-Inspector (SI) Exam. Among those detained, 25 are women candidates. Berhampur City Hospital carried out their medical examinations to help investigators verify both health status and identity.
According to reports, a confidential source tipped off the Odisha Police about a massive malpractice planned for the upcoming OPRB Sub-Inspector exam. Acting on this information, the Berhampur Police launched the operation, with support from the Andhra Pradesh Police. Together, they intercepted three AC sleeper buses near the Andhra Pradesh border. The buses carried 117 passengers, and investigators allege that they took part in a sophisticated SI exam scam..
Investigations revealed that the candidates had boarded the buses at Baramunda, Bhubaneswar. They were heading to Vijayanagaram, Andhra Pradesh, under the guidance of three middlemen for the upcoming Sub-Inspector exam. The organized crime network had allegedly planned to obtain the confidential question paper for the upcoming SI exam in Vijayanagaram. They would pay a hefty bribe of ₹25 lakhs per candidate, split into two installments: ₹10 lakhs initially and ₹15 lakhs upon confirmation of selection.
Strong evidence against the 117 candidates has been recovered during the raids. The police are continuing their investigation to identify other agents and middlemen involved in the SI exam scam. The question paper preparation agency, Silicon Pvt. Ltd., has come under the police lens. The Golanthara Police Station, under the Berhampur Police jurisdiction, has registered an FIR against the accused. The case includes multiple sections: 319(2), 318(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2), 111, 61(2), 3(5) BNS. This is read with Sections 11(1) and 12(1) of The Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
This massive scam has raised concerns about the integrity of recruitment processes in Odisha. Police have intensified their investigation to trace out the mastermind.
