Crime Branch arrests key suspect in SI recruitment test scam

Bhubaneswar: The state crime branch, investigating the alleged SI recruitment test scam, on Monday arrested the promoter of a Bhubaneswar-based private company that was assigned to conduct the exams.

The accused was identified as Suresh Nayak.The crime branch revealed that a central PSU, selected by Odisha police through a formal tender process to conduct the exam, entrusted Nayak’s company with the responsibility of setting and printing exam questions. “Nayak’s company illegally sublet the exam tasks to another private firm, whose director, Shankar Prusty, was arrested on Saturday. Nayak and Prusty were hand-in-glove in the crime. Neither Nayak’s company nor the central PSU alerted the Odisha Police Recruitment Board about the engagement of Prusty’s firm in the exam conduct,” a crime branch officer told TOI.Nayak allegedly granted unauthorised access of these sensitive tasks to Prusty. During interrogation, Nayak claimed that Prusty’s firm was only engaged to provide manpower for the smooth conduct of the exam. “However, evidence suggests a deeper collusion between Nayak and Prusty, with allegations that they conspired to solicit bribes ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 25 lakh from candidates in exchange for exam questions,” the crime branch officer said.

The investigation, which commenced on Oct 1, revealed that Prusty initially absconded and sought refuge in Nayak’s guesthouse in Delhi. Crime Branch sources said Nayak helped Prusty to escape and evade arrest. Despite repeated inquiries from the crime branch, Nayak feigned ignorance about Prusty’s whereabouts, crime branch sources said.As of now, the crime branch has arrested 125 persons, including 114 candidates, in connection with the scam.

Although the govt announced on Oct 22 that the investigation would be transferred to the CBI, the handover is yet to take place.On Sunday, Prusty claimed his innocence, suggesting that some other persons orchestrated the operation, allegedly striking a Rs 1,000 crore deal to acquire the exam questions. However, he refrained from naming any specific persons, politicians, or entities, leaving questions about potential involvement from the Odisha police, recruitment board, political parties, or other govt agencies unanswered.