Odisha Government Orders CBI Probe
Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has decided to hand over the investigation into the alleged Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The decision was taken by Prime Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday evening.
More than 1.53 lakh applications were submitted for the recruitment drive conducted by Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) for 933 Sub-Inspector posts. The exams, originally scheduled for October 5, 2025, were postponed after the alleged noise was largely suppressed.
Initial investigations by Odisha Police Crime Branch-CID revealed the involvement of organized middlemen and candidates traveling across state borders to gain unfair advantages, including access to leaked exam materials. Acting on a tip-off, the authorities stopped three buses carrying 114 candidates and managers going to “private coaching” centers on September 30.
The state government’s decision to hand over the matter to the CBI followed preliminary findings indicating the existence of an inter-state network linked to Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. So far, 123 people, including candidates, brokers and intermediaries, have been arrested.
In a parallel move aimed at long-term reform, the Odisha government is reportedly considering setting up a permanent recruitment commission for police and other uniformed personnel to prevent such incidents in future.
The opposition criticized the handling of the recruitment process and demanded a judicial inquiry as well as a CBI probe.
For many candidates, the scandal has triggered uncertainty. With exams shelved indefinitely, hopes of securing the coveted job will remain on hold until the investigation is concluded.
“CM’s decision to hand over the SI recruitment scam to CBI signals our government’s resolve to ensure accountability and restore confidence in the recruitment system,” said BJP leader Anil Biswal.
