CBI questions OPRB officer over tender award for SI hiring process

Bhubaneswar: CBI officers on Saturday questioned an SP-rank officer of Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) and summoned three more persons in connection with the SI recruitment examination probe.CBI sleuths said the questioning centred on the awarding of tender for the recruitment and adherence to established norms. "The questioning is aimed at analysing the role of Silicon Tech Lab Private Ltd, the firm contracted to conduct the examination. CBI is investigating whether the firm, allegedly led by accused Suresh Nayak, followed the norms during the examination process. The agency is probing how OPRB authorised Nayak's firm to handle such a critical recruitment examination," an officer said.
CBI sleuths also suspect the involvement of a syndicate, with a teacher allegedly managing a significant part of the examination process. CBI has summoned the teacher for questioning to understand his role. The agency is also extensively interrogating Shankar Prusty, the alleged mastermind, and Nayak, whom they have taken on four-day remand. The agency aims to unravel the broader conspiracy.On Nov 1, before CBI took over the case, the state crime branch arrested Prusty from Uttarakhand near the Nepal border. Prusty, who was on the run since the alleged scam surfaced, was tracked down after weeks of surveillance and coordinated efforts by the Odisha crime branch. He was brought to Odisha on transit remand for further interrogation, sources said.The SI recruitment scam came to light following widespread allegations of malpractice during the examination. Investigation revealed that question papers were leaked in advance, and several candidates allegedly paid hefty sums to secure their selection. Over 100 individuals, including candidates and middlemen, were arrested in connection with the case.

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