Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Crime Branch has taken over the investigation into the massive multi-crore Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam and appointed DSP Ratnaprava Satpathy to lead the probe.
The case was initially registered at Golanthara Police Station in Ganjam (PS Case No. 447/2025) and involves allegations of candidates paying bribes up to Rs 25 lakh in exchange for guaranteed recruitment.
The order was issued by the Director General of Police, CID, CB, Odisha, Cuttack, Vinaytosh Mishra, invokes powers under PMR-410(A) to assume full control of the investigation.
“In exercise of powers conferred under PMR-410(A), I assume full control over the investigation of Golanthara PS Case No. 447 dated 30.09.2025 under Sections 319(2), 318(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2), 111, 81(2), and 3(5) of the BNS, read with Sections 11(1), 3, and 12(1) of the Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, and hereby depute Ratnaprava Satpathy, OPS, DSP, CID Crime Branch, Cuttack, to take up the investigation of this case and all other related cases with immediate effect,” the order stated.
The order further stated that SP Anil Kumar Beuria has been assigned as the Supervising Officer of the case. He will oversee the investigation on-site in coordination with the Investigating Officer and is expected to release his Supervision Note soon.
The scam came to light following the arrest of 117 persons on September 30 by Berhampur police, acting on intelligence gathered jointly with the Crime Branch. Investigations revealed that a private agency based in Andhra Pradesh was facilitating the illegal process by transporting candidates to Srikakulam to take the recruitment exam.
In light of the scandal, the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) has postponed the written examination for Police SI, scheduled for October 5 and 6. This marks the fourth recruitment exam cancelled in the state since July 2025 amid similar controversies.
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed serious concern over the repeated cancellations.
The Crime Branch has vowed to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
