Odisha Sub-Inspector Exam Paper Leak: ED Raids 12 Locations, Three Companies Under Scrutiny

Bhubaneswar, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken significant action in the ongoing investigation into the leak of the Odisha sub-inspector recruitment exam paper for 2024. Raids were conducted at 12 locations across Odisha and West Bengal from October 9 to 12, resulting in the seizure of numerous incriminating documents, devices, and records.

This operation was carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002. Among the companies searched were Silicon Techlab Private Limited, Panchsoft Technologies Private Limited, and PSIL International Limited, along with their directors and associates.

The case traces back to an FIR filed by the Odisha police in October 2025. On September 30, 2025, police intercepted three buses near Ichhapuram, which were carrying 114 candidates for the sub-inspector exam. Allegations suggest that the exam paper was leaked in exchange for cash payments ranging from ₹1.5 million to ₹3 million per candidate. Subsequently, the case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Investigations revealed that individuals connected to the organizations responsible for conducting the exam were involved in the leak. Candidates were approached by accomplices who offered to provide the exam paper for a fee, while also collecting their original certificates as a guarantee. According to the CBI’s charge sheet, irregularities were also reported during a similar exam held in March 2025, leading to its cancellation by the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB).

The ED’s searches unveiled crucial information. The OPRB had entrusted the organization of the exam to the central government’s PSU, ITI Limited, which then subcontracted the task to Silicon Techlab Private Limited (STPL) located in Bhubaneswar.

However, STPL’s director, Suresh Chandra Nayak, allegedly hired a third party, Panchsoft Technologies Private Limited, to handle sensitive candidate information without ITI Limited’s written approval. This arrangement involved Panchsoft’s director, Shankar Prusty, who was complicit in the scheme. Subsequently, individuals associated with both companies gathered candidates and facilitated the paper leak for monetary gain.

Further investigation revealed multiple transactions between STPL and Panchsoft before the exam process began, indicating collusion. The ED also discovered that a majority share of Silicon Techlab was acquired by PSIL International Limited and its directors, Sameer Rath and his wife Shashwati Mishra, through a share purchase agreement dated August 5, 2023. Notably, this agreement was never filed with the Registrar of Companies. Despite the change in control, Suresh Chandra Nayak retained his directorship at STPL and unlawfully negotiated access to the exam paper with ITI Limited.

The ED has characterized the paper leak as a premeditated conspiracy involving substantial illegal earnings. The investigation is ongoing.