117 Arrested in Massive SI Exam Racket; Odisha Police Postpones Recruitment Test

Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown on examination malpractice, Odisha Police have arrested 117 people involved in a large-scale racket aimed at sabotaging the upcoming Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination.

According to officials, among those arrested, 114 are candidates who had applied for the SI exam, while the remaining three are agents accused of orchestrating the scheme. Acting on a tip-off, Berhampur police intercepted three AC sleeper buses near the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border. The buses, which had departed from Baramunda Bus Stand in Bhubaneswar, were carrying 117 passengers.

During interrogation, police discovered that the 114 candidates were travelling with the assistance of three agents linked to a wider network. The group allegedly conspired to obtain confidential question papers from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, before returning to Bhubaneswar to appear for the test.

Investigators revealed that each candidate had agreed to pay ₹25 lakh—₹10 lakh as an advance and ₹15 lakh after securing the job. “This was an organised attempt to sabotage the SI examination,” the Odisha Police said, adding that more agents may be involved in the conspiracy.

An FIR has been registered at Golanthara Police Station in Berhampur district under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. All 117 accused have been booked under sections 319(2), 318(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2), 111, 61(2), and 3(5) of the BNS, read with Sections 11(1) and 12(1) of the Odisha Public Examination Act. They will be produced in court for further interrogation.

Following the exposure of the racket, the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) has postponed the Sub-Inspector written examination, which was earlier scheduled for October 5 and 6. Fresh dates will be announced soon, and candidates have been advised to check the official website — odishapolice.gov.in — for updates.

Police sources said further investigation is underway to trace the wider network of agents and ensure transparency in the recruitment process.