13 hrs ago
ED Searches Ten Sites in Odisha SI Paper Leak Case
Investigators are looking into a leak of a question paper for an Odisha police recruitment test.
The Enforcement Directorate searched 10 places in Odisha and West Bengal.
Police had earlier stopped three buses carrying 114 candidates near the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border.
Investigators allege that candidates were asked to pay large sums to get the paper.
Their original certificates were reportedly taken as a promise that they would pay.
The searches are examining companies and people connected with running the exam.
The case was transferred from Odisha Police’s Crime Branch to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Shankar Prusty, described as the alleged mastermind, was arrested in November 2025.
The Enforcement Directorate searched 10 locations in Odisha and West Bengal on Friday.
The searches concern the alleged leak of the 2024 Odisha Sub-Inspector recruitment exam paper.
Police intercepted three buses carrying 114 candidates near Ichhapuram on September 30, 2025.
Candidates were allegedly offered the paper for Rs 15 lakh to Rs 30 lakh each, with original certificates taken as guarantees.
Searches covered people and premises linked to Silicon Techlab, Panchsoft Technology and their directors.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate; the searches involve premises linked to alleged prime accused Shankar Prusty, associates, and directors of Silicon Techlab Private Limited and Panchsoft Technology Private Limited.
- What
- Searches at 10 places as part of an investigation into an alleged question-paper leak in Odisha's Sub-Inspector Recruitment Exam-2024.
- Where
- Locations in Odisha and West Bengal.
- When
- Friday; the article does not give the date of the searches. Police intercepted buses on September 30, 2025, ahead of the exam scheduled for October 5 and 6, 2025.
- Why
- To investigate the alleged leak and sale of the exam question paper, including the roles of agencies and associated people.
Investigative allegations
Response from those implicated
Alleged paper leak and payment scheme
Investigative allegations
ED sources allege that associates offered candidates the question paper for Rs 15 lakh to Rs 30 lakh and took original certificates as guarantees.
Response from those implicated
The article reports no response from the accused, companies, or their representatives.
Role of exam-related companies
Investigative allegations
ED sources say the paper was allegedly leaked by people associated with entities assigned to conduct the exam; searches are examining the agencies and associated individuals.
Response from those implicated
The article provides no account from the companies or their directors about the allegations.
Key facts
- Search locations
- 10 places in Odisha and West Bengal
- Exam
- Odisha Sub-Inspector Recruitment Exam-2024, scheduled for October 5 and 6, 2025
- Bus interception
- Three buses carrying 114 candidates were intercepted on September 30, 2025, near Ichhapuram
- Alleged price
- Rs 15 lakh to Rs 30 lakh per candidate
- Companies covered
- Silicon Techlab Private Limited and Panchsoft Technology Private Limited, along with their directors
- Investigation transfer
- Transferred from Odisha Police Crime Branch to the CBI on the recommendation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi
- Arrest
- Shankar Prusty was arrested in Uttarakhand in November 2025, according to the article
Quotes
Enforcement Directorate sources
Sources from the Enforcement Directorate describing the case background.
“The case emanates from an FIR filed by Orissa Police in October 2025 when Orissa Police, on 30.09.2025, intercepted three buses carrying 114 candidates near the bordering area of Ichhapuram (border town of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha) for leaking the question paper of SI Recruitment Exam scheduled to be conducted on 5th and 6th October 2025, in lieu of cash ranging between Rs 15 lakh to Rs 30 lakh per candidate.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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