Argus News - Bail Hearing of SI Exam Scam Mastermind Shankar Prusty Today

Berhampur, Nov 20: The Vigilance Court in Berhampur is set to hear the bail pleas of three prime accused in the Police Sub-Inspector (SI) examination scam — Shankar Prusty, Arvind Das, and Suresh Chandra Nayak — on Thursday.

The trio, considered central figures in the racket, are currently lodged in Berhampur jail along with seven other middlemen and agents.

Last week, the Vigilance Court granted bail to two accused, Shekhar Sahoo and Prakash Sahoo, while rejecting the bail applications of Bishwaranjan Behera and Tafim Ahmed Khan. Today’s hearing is expected to be crucial, as Shankar Prusty is alleged to be the mastermind behind the scam that rocked the recruitment process.

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the probe and is scrutinizing documents handed over by Berhampur Police and the Crime Branch. Sources indicate that the CBI is investigating deeper links to uncover who orchestrated the racket and whether higher-level involvement existed.

The scam was initially exposed by Berhampur Police, leading to multiple arrests. The CBI is now expected to question Shankar Prusty and other accused after discussions with local police and Crime Branch officials. The agency is also examining how the racket operated, including the role of agents and intermediaries in manipulating the examination process.

The SI exam scam has raised serious concerns about transparency in recruitment and the integrity of law enforcement examinations. With the CBI intensifying its probe, the case is likely to reveal more layers of corruption and malpractice in the coming weeks.

Thursday’s bail hearing will determine whether the three accused remain in custody or secure temporary relief, even as the investigation continues to widen its scope.