Odisha Crime Branch uncovers a criminal syndicate in the police SI recruitment exam. Over 100 arrested, with evidence of fraud, corruption, and high-level involvement
OdishaPlus Bureau
The crime branch of the Odisha Police, which has assumed responsibility for investigating the alleged irregularities in the recruitment examination for police sub-inspectors in the state, has found initial evidence suggesting the involvement of an “organised criminal syndicate” aimed at undermining the entire examination process.
According to sources within the Crime Branch, the motive behind the actions of this crime syndicate was to disrupt the examination process by employing unfair methods for financial gain. On Wednesday, the Berhampur Police apprehended 117 individuals — 114 candidates and three intermediaries — after intercepting three buses at the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border. During the interrogation, it was reportedly disclosed that all individuals were part of a syndicate attempting to compromise the police SI examination scheduled for October 5 and 6.
The alleged plan involved obtaining the confidential question paper and subsequently returning to Bhubaneswar to take the exam. The candidates had reportedly agreed to pay Rs 25 lakh each in installments — an initial payment of Rs 10 lakh followed by the remainder once their employment was secured.
The Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB), which was responsible for administering the test, has already postponed the examination due to recent developments. Over 1.53 lakh candidates have submitted applications for 933 police SI positions across various categories.
On Friday, the Crime Branch apprehended Biswaranjan Behera, 29, a resident of Cuttack, who was involved in the crime syndicate, and confiscated incriminating documents.
Investigating officials stated that Behera was actively engaged in reaching out to prospective candidates, gathering original certificates and blank cheques from them in exchange for providing examination question papers, which he subsequently passed on to his superior in the organization.
“Behera’s actions clearly suggest a conspiracy among the criminals, executing tasks as instructed by the leaders of the crime syndicate. Multiple teams have been dispatched by the Crime Branch to capture the primary conspirator,” one source indicated.
Sources have revealed that the involvement of several senior officials from OPRB and the private agency tasked with conducting the examination is currently under investigation.
As pressure increased on the state government, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja convened a high-level meeting with OPRB officials on Saturday to address the issue. The Opposition has intensified its criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s government, with both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress calling for a CBI investigation.