Bhubaneswar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday made a fresh arrest in the ongoing probe into the Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination irregularities, further underscoring suspicions of an inter-state racket.
According sources, one Amit Bharati has been apprehended by the central agency from Bihar.
This development comes on the heels of intensive questioning of prime suspect Shankar Prusty, described as the central figure coordinating the alleged scam.
Sources familiar with the investigation revealed that critical breakthroughs emerged during Prusty’s remand period, enabling sleuths to pinpoint Bharati’s alleged involvement in cross-border linkages. Bharati is suspected of playing a role in enabling communications, coordination, or monetary exchanges tied to the manipulation of the recruitment process.
Investigators reportedly also uncovered significant details regarding the flow of funds and the broader syndicate implicated in the exam fraud.
Prusty and his alleged associates Suresh Nayak and Sagar Gaudar, will be produced in court again on Monday following the end of their four-day custodial remand.
The CBI has remained focussed on unraveling substantial financial dealings, the division of roles among suspects, and potential misuse of logistical arrangements for the examination, especially by Silicon Tech Lab Private Limited, the firm responsible for printing and transporting question papers to centres, with probes examining possible breaches during handling.
In a related development, the central agency questioned a senior SP-level officer from the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) over claimed anomalies in the tender process. Summons have additionally been served to three other board members.
Earlier this month, the CBI had arrested an Odisha police constable, Arjun Nayak (36), and a middleman, Nimain Charan Sahoo (33), for their alleged role in the scam. Nayak was the second policeman after Biswa Ranjan Behera (29), who was rounded up by the state crime branch, to be arrested in the case. Nimai had close links with Biranchi Nayak, who handled the entire operation of the Digha module, where hotel accommodations had been booked for the candidates. Nimai then roped in his friend Arjun in the syndicate to take advantage of his police profile and lure the candidates.
Another suspect from Bihar was also detained.