ED searches 12 sites over Odisha SI exam paper leak

It matters to citizens as it outlines the specific entities, individuals, and financial mechanisms alleged to have facilitated the exam fraud and the subsequent money laundering investigation.

Who it concerns: The document concerns the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Odisha Police, CBI, Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB), ITI Limited, M/s Silicon Techlab Private Limited (STPL), M/s Panchsoft Technologies Private Limited, M/s PSIL International Limited, their directors (including Suresh Chandra Nayak, Sankar Prusty, Sameer Rath, and Saswati Mishra), and the 114 candidates involved in the exam leakage.

What the ED says it did

• ED conducted searches at 12 premises in Odisha and West Bengal on 09.10.2026, 10.10.2026, and 12.10.2026.
• Incriminating documents, devices, and records were seized under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
• Odisha Police intercepted three buses carrying 114 candidates near Ichhapuram on 30.09.2025 who were allegedly lured to leak the exam paper for Rs.15 to Rs.30 Lakhs per candidate.
• OPRB assigned the exam conduct to ITI Limited, which handed it to STPL.
• STPL director Suresh Chandra Nayak allegedly engaged Panchsoft Technologies without written permission from ITI Limited.
• Panchsoft director Sankar Prusty and associates allegedly approached candidates to sell the question paper in exchange for money and original certificates as guarantee.
• PSIL International Limited allegedly took majority shareholding of STPL via an agreement dated 5.8.2023 that was never submitted to the Registrar of Companies.
• Suresh Chandra Nayak allegedly continued to act as a director and access exam papers without authorization after PSIL took control.
• ED investigation indicates the leakage was organized and generated significant criminal proceeds in cash.

Also in the document

• The case originated from an FIR filed by Odisha Police in October 2025 and was subsequently transferred to the CBI.
• The exam was originally scheduled for March 2025 but was cancelled by OPRB due to irregularities, and later rescheduled for October 2025.
• ED found transactions between Sankar Prusty and STPL prior to the commencement of the recruitment process, suggesting prior connivance.
• The investigation has identified roles of entities and persons previously outside the investigative net, including those associated with OPRB.