Daijiworld Media Network - Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, Oct 17: In a major breakthrough in the multi-crore Odisha Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam, the state Crime Branch has arrested four key individuals, including a prime accused, for orchestrating a wide-ranging operation to leak exam papers and manipulate police recruitment, officials said on Friday.
The accused have been identified as Muna Mohanty (32) of Cuttack, Priyadarshini Samal (25) of Dhenkanal, and Srikant Maharana (34) and T. Abimanyu Dora (49), both from Nayagarh district. The arrests were made following a deep probe into question paper leaks during the Combined Police Service Examination (CPSE)-2024.
According to Crime Branch DGP Vinaytosh Mishra, the scam was being run as a coordinated criminal network with Muna Mohanty acting as a key operational figure. The syndicate allegedly operated under the leadership of Sankar Prusty, director of Panchsoft Technologies Pvt Ltd, based in Bhubaneswar. Prusty is currently absconding, and a manhunt is underway.
Investigators revealed that Mohanty worked closely with agents to lure candidates, collect their original certificates and blank cheques, and promise leaked exam papers in return for hefty sums ranging from Rs 20 to Rs 25 lac. Payments were taken in advance, and certificates returned only after the money was secured.
The scam came to light on September 29, when Berhampur Police intercepted three buses in Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayanagaram carrying 114 candidates and three agents linked to the operation. Further investigation uncovered a complex plan orchestrated by Mohanty and Srikant Maharana, who managed logistics, transport, and lodging for the candidates.
Mohanty had paid Rs 2.3 lac to book buses from Bhubaneswar, using both his and his mother’s bank accounts. He also personally supervised the candidates’ boarding process and arranged accommodations in Vijayanagaram. Three agents were deployed on board to keep a close watch on the candidates.
Following the arrests, Mohanty, Srikant, and others went into hiding, shutting off their phones. Later, Priyadarshini Samal was involved in discreetly returning the original documents to the families of the candidates, hoping to cover their tracks.
Meanwhile, T. Abimanyu Dora was arrested for sheltering the absconding accused at his farmhouse in Daspalla, despite being aware of their criminal involvement.
The main accused, Sankar Prusty, reportedly fled to Delhi around the time the candidates and agents were intercepted. Authorities are actively pursuing leads to apprehend him.
The Odisha Police say this is just the beginning of a broader investigation into systemic corruption and paper leaks in the state's recruitment processes.