A murky cloud continues to loom over the Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam, as the Crime Branch’s ongoing investigation comes under sharp criticism for allegedly failing to trace the masterminds behind a widespread network of fraudsters.
Eighteen days since the probe began, critics claim that the investigation appears more focused on concealment than accountability, raising suspicions of a cover-up involving top officials of the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB), ITI Limited, and Silicon Tech Lab.
Cancelled Exam Exposes Massive Administrative Failure
The recruitment exam, which was cancelled on March 8 and 9, 2025, has exposed glaring administrative lapses and systemic failures within the state’s recruitment machinery.
Key documents — including OPRB meeting minutes (October 9), a press release (October 11), and a letter to ITI Limited (May 28) — highlight a trail of poor oversight and questionable decisions.
Although the OPRB chief, Sushant Kumar Nath, convened an emergency meeting on September 29 after a candidate was caught cheating in Andhra Pradesh, the Crime Branch investigation has avoided probing the OPRB’s internal actions. Instead, the focus has shifted toward 114 candidates, local middlemen, and Panchsoft Solutions, drawing criticism for selective scrutiny.
Opposition Alleges High-Level Links and Demand Wider Probe
The Opposition BJD has intensified its attack on the government, alleging a “Dhenkanal link” connecting the OPRB chief, the Home Secretary, and Silicon Tech Lab’s owner. The party has demanded that their names be included in the list of individuals under investigation.
Serious questions now arise:
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Did OPRB knowingly allow Panchsoft Solutions to subcontract work from Silicon Tech Lab?
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Why was Silicon’s director, Suresh Kumar Nayak, released after only two hours of questioning, while ITI Limited received a show-cause notice?
The government’s silence on these issues has only fueled public distrust, with many accusing the Crime Branch of shielding influential players rather than pursuing the truth.
Main Accused Still at Large as Probe Targets Lower-Level Players
At a press briefing on Saturday, Crime Branch DIG Binaytosh Mishra announced the detention of four accused, including Muna Mohanty, yet admitted that the prime accused, Shankar Prusti of Panchsoft, remains absconding.
Notably, none of the 123 people detained so far are from OPRB, ITI Limited, or Silicon Tech Lab — a glaring omission that has sparked widespread skepticism about the fairness and direction of the investigation.
As mobile forensics reports are expected to take several months to complete, the frustration among unemployed aspirants continues to mount. Many are openly asking,
“Who is protecting Silicon, and at what cost to Odisha’s dignity?”
Public Anger Mounts as Trust in the System Erodes
With jobs on hold, evidence delayed, and the key suspect missing, the probe has become a symbol of bureaucratic paralysis and alleged institutional shielding of powerful figures.
For thousands of aspirants whose dreams now hang in limbo, the scandal has not just exposed corruption — it has shaken faith in the fairness of Odisha’s recruitment process.