Bhubaneswar, Nov 13: The SI recruitment scam in Odisha continues to unravel, with the arrest count reaching 126. Crime Branch officials Wednesday arrested Sagar Gouda, a close aide of prime accused Sankar Prusty, from Berhampur. Sagar is believed to have played a crucial role in coordinating logistics and executing the fraudulent scheme under Shankar’s direction.

Sagar had previously been active in the Balasore module, overseeing operations and candidate arrangements. His father, Krushna Chandra Gouda, a peon at MKCG Medical College, was arrested earlier in June for allegedly referring patients to private hospitals through illegal brokerage.

Investigations revealed that Sagar had visited Digha on September 29, where hotel bookings for candidates were arranged by another accused, Aravind Das. Crime Branch sources confirmed Sagar’s deep involvement in planning and executing the scam.

Also read: Centre Gives Nod For CBI Probe Into Odisha Police SI Recruitment Scam

Meanwhile, Sankar Prusty and six other accused, including agents and middlemen, have filed bail applications in the Berhampur Vigilance Court. Their earlier bail pleas in lower courts were rejected. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

Among the 11 accused currently lodged in Berhampur jail are Sankar Prusty, Suresh Chandra Nayak (owner of Silicon Company), Tofim Ahmad Khan, Biswaranjan Behera, Aravind Das, Shekhar Sahoo, and Prakash Sahoo. The Crime Branch had previously taken Sankar and five others on remand for interrogation. However, officials suspect Sankar withheld key information, prompting a request for a polygraph test. The hearing for this application was delayed due to the investigating officer’s absence.

The Odisha government had announced on Tuesday that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will now take over the probe. A CBI team is expected to arrive in Berhampur soon to begin its investigation into the widespread exam fraud.