Arrest Near Indo-Nepal Border Spurs Political Storm

In a dramatic twist that has jolted Odisha’s political landscape, Shankar Prusty, the prime accused in the Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam, made a series of explosive revelations upon his return from Nepal. Arrested by a Crime Branch team near the Indo-Nepal border in Champawat, Uttarakhand, Prusty was brought to Bhubaneswar on Saturday amid tight security and intense media attention.

At the Bhubaneswar airport, Prusty accused officials of the previous government of orchestrating a deep-rooted conspiracy behind the cancellation of the SI recruitment exam, claiming that “crores changed hands” in the process. His statements have ignited a verbal duel between the BJP and the BJD, just days ahead of the crucial Nimapada bypoll.

“I Am Surrendering, Not Arrested,” Claims Prusti

Prusty, 32, the director of Panchsoft Technologies Pvt. Ltd., maintained that he was not absconding but had voluntarily appeared before law enforcement. “I was not in hiding. I had already applied for anticipatory bail in the High Court and Supreme Court. This is not arrest but self-surrender,” he told reporters.

The accused denied any involvement in manipulating candidate credentials. “Neither I nor my wife, Deep Timayee Sahoo, are involved. If there is any evidence, let it be presented,” he challenged, dismissing rumours that his company tampered with 124 candidate records.

Crime Branch Seeks Extended Remand

Upon arrival, the Crime Branch immediately transported Prusty to its Cuttack headquarters for interrogation. Officials have sought a 14-day remand to investigate the alleged racket and unravel its financial and interstate linkages.

Three other suspects — Muna Mahanti (broker), Loknath Sahoo, and Priyadarshini Samal — are already in custody and being questioned alongside Prusty. Investigators believe that the racket operated across states and involved proxy candidates from West Bengal, hinting at a larger nexus beyond Odisha.

CBI Set to Step In

Adding another layer to the unfolding drama, a CBI team is expected to join the probe soon. Sources indicated that the agency may raid the Crime Branch headquarters and seize key documents related to the scam. The CBI is also likely to pursue leads in Brahmapur and Balasore, where another accused, Arvind Das, allegedly played a central role.

The Tender Trail: From ITI Ltd. to Panchsoft

Investigations have traced the roots of the scandal to the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) tender process. The initial contract, granted to ITI Limited, was later subcontracted to Silicon Techlabs, which further handed it to Panchsoft Technologies — the firm headed by Prusty.

This multi-layered subcontracting is now under intense scrutiny, as investigators suspect it facilitated the manipulation of candidate data and the creation of proxy networks.

Proxy Candidate Racket Exposed

According to police sources, the racket allegedly organised proxy candidates from West Bengal, using fake credentials to appear in the SI exam. Accused Arvind Das reportedly booked two hotels in Mandarmani and Digha, where aspirants were housed for four days of coaching.

The plot collapsed on September 29, when police intercepted 114 proxies and three brokers en route to the exam centre at Vijayanagar, foiling what could have been a massive recruitment fraud.

Political Fallout and Pre-Poll Heat

Prusty’s statements have triggered a political firestorm in Odisha. The BJP has accused the previous BJD government of shielding corruption, while the BJD has hit back, alleging that the BJP is “sensationalising” the case for electoral advantage ahead of the Nimapada by-election.

Political observers say Prusty’s revelations have raised the stakes, with both parties using the scandal to shape the narrative in the run-up to the polls.

Court Appearance and the Road Ahead

Prusty is expected to be produced before the Brahmapur Vigilance Court on Monday. His testimony and the ensuing investigation are likely to determine whether he emerges as a whistleblower exposing a system of corruption — or as the mastermind behind one of Odisha’s biggest recruitment scandals.

As the probe deepens, the SI recruitment scam has come to symbolise not just a breach of examination integrity, but the nexus of power, money, and manipulation that continues to haunt Odisha’s administrative machinery.

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