Fri Oct 03 18:53:04 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Odisha Recruitment Scam: BJD Accuses BJP of Complicity Following Mass Arrests**
**BHUBANESWAR, October 4, 2025** – Days after the arrest of 114 sub-inspector of police aspirants in connection with a massive recruitment scam, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has leveled accusations of complicity against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha.
At a press conference yesterday, the BJD Student Wing President Ipsita Sahu presented photographs allegedly showing Shankar Prusti, the chief of Panchsoft Private Limited and the suspected kingpin of the recruitment scam, alongside Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and other prominent BJP leaders.
“Panchsoft, which was sublet the responsibility of conducting the written examination for sub-inspector posts, is under scrutiny,” Sahu stated. “Shankar Prusti is a BJP member and the alleged mastermind of this scam. His connections with top BJP officials raise serious questions.”
The BJD refuted claims by BJP President Manmohan Samal that the party had no involvement, emphasizing that Prusti formally joined the BJP in Mr. Samal’s presence.
The party also raised concerns about the awarding of the sensitive examination responsibility to an inexperienced firm like Panchsoft, especially given the magnitude of the recruitment process for 933 SI positions.
According to the BJD, Indian Telephone Industries Limited (ITI), the initial agency entrusted with conducting the examination, partnered with Richminds Digital Private Limited. ITI then replaced Richminds with Silicon Digitech, who then subcontracted the work to Panchsoft Technologies. The BJD alleges that Panchsoft manipulated the process by accepting substantial payments in exchange for guaranteeing placements.
The BJD claims that 16 recruitment examinations have been cancelled in the past 15 months due to corruption. They are demanding a CBI inquiry into the entire affair, alleging that deserving candidates were deprived of opportunities due to the fraudulent sale of jobs. They believe the scam could be even larger than the infamous Vyapam scam.
Berhampur police have revealed that arrested candidates confessed to paying ₹25 lakh each for the jobs, with ₹10 lakh paid upfront and the remaining ₹15 lakh upon confirmation of appointment.
Retired police officers are suggesting the possible involvement of senior government officials. They contend the large payments indicate candidates were assured of success beyond the written exam, implying guarantees for the physical and interview stages as well. The Crime Branch of the State police has launched its own inquiry into the matter.
First Piper 