- The Enforcement Directorate searched 12 premises in Odisha and West Bengal on October 9, 10 and 12.
- The investigation concerns alleged question paper leaks and suspected cash payments of ₹15 lakh to ₹30 lakh per candidate.
- The ED said it seized documents, devices and records and is examining the evidence.
Bhubaneswar: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bhubaneswar Zonal Office, has conducted searches at 12 premises in Odisha and West Bengal in connection with the alleged question paper leak in the Odisha Sub-Inspector (SI) Recruitment Examination-2024.
The searches were conducted on October 9, 10 and 12 at premises linked to Silicon Techlab Private Limited, Panchsoft Technologies Private Limited, PSIL International Limited, their directors and other associated persons.
According to an ED press release, officials seized various documents, electronic devices and records under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The seized material is under further examination.
How the Odisha SI Recruitment Paper Leak Case Emerged
The case originated from an FIR registered by Odisha Police in October 2025. The ED said Odisha Police intercepted three buses carrying 114 candidates near Ichhapuram, close to the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, on September 30, 2025.
The candidates were allegedly being mobilised in connection with the question paper leak for the SI recruitment examination scheduled for October 5 and 6, 2025. According to the investigation, candidates were allegedly promised access to the question paper in exchange for payments ranging from ₹15 lakh to ₹30 lakh each.
The case was subsequently transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The ED said candidates were allegedly approached by associates of people connected with the entities assigned to conduct the examination. Their original certificates were reportedly collected as guarantees in exchange for promises of access to the confidential question paper.
The CBI charge sheet also reportedly identified irregularities involving the examination paper in March 2025, when an earlier scheduled examination was later cancelled by the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB).
ED Examines Role of Examination Technology Companies
During its investigation, the ED found that OPRB had assigned the examination work to ITI Limited, a Central Public Sector Undertaking. ITI Limited subsequently handed over the work to Bhubaneswar-based Silicon Techlab Private Limited (STPL).
According to the ED, STPL director Suresh Chandra Nayak engaged Panchsoft Technologies Private Limited to handle sensitive candidate information without obtaining written permission from ITI Limited. The agency alleged that this arrangement involved Panchsoft director Sankar Prusty.
The investigation reportedly found transactions between Prusty and STPL before the SI recruitment examination process began. The ED said these transactions indicated possible collusion between the parties.
The agency further alleged that individuals associated with the companies approached candidates and offered confidential examination information in return for money.
PSIL Shareholding Agreement Under ED Scrutiny
The ED is also examining a purported share purchase agreement dated August 5, 2023, under which PSIL International Limited, formerly known as Patnaik Steel International Limited, and its directors Sameer Rath and Saswati Mishra allegedly acquired a majority shareholding in Silicon Techlab.
According to the agency, the agreement had not been submitted to the Registrar of Companies by either company.
The investigation also found that Suresh Chandra Nayak continued as a director of STPL and corresponded with ITI Limited regarding the examination despite the alleged change in control of the company.
The ED alleged that Rath and Mishra did not inform ITI Limited that Nayak was handling the examination work without proper authorisation. The agency further stated that Nayak subsequently accessed the examination papers without authorisation.
These findings remain part of the ongoing investigation.
ED Suspects Wider Network in Paper Leak
The ED said its searches and investigation had brought to light the possible involvement of companies and entities that had not previously come under the investigative scrutiny of the agencies.
The searches also indicated the possible role of other individuals, including people associated with OPRB and other companies linked to the examination process.
According to the agency, evidence collected so far indicates that the alleged question paper leak may have been organised and that substantial proceeds of crime were generated through cash payments from candidates.
The ED said further investigation is underway to establish the roles of the individuals and entities involved and examine the financial transactions connected with the case.
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