Three days after the Odisha government formally handed over the Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment scam case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the central agency has yet to commence its probe.

The postponement occurs because nine important suspects, including alleged major intermediary Muna Mohanty, are still in custody while 114 detained candidates have already obtained release.
Questions Are Raised by the CBI Takeover's Delay
Sources verified that the CBI has not yet formally assumed responsibility for the probe, despite the state government's October 27 official notice that the case had been transferred to the agency. The state agency still has case files, confiscated items, and digital evidence that the Crime Branch gathered and is awaiting formal transfer.
However, according to sources, the delay might be procedural because independent investigations cannot start until the CBI assigns a team, issues official requisitions, and registers a new FIR.

Though the Crime Branch has failed to apprehend the suspected key suspect, Shankar Prusty, who has apparently fled to Dubai, the lack of progress almost a week after the transfer has garnered notice.
114 Accused Candidates' Bail
114 arrested examinees who were charged with paying bribes to obtain SI positions were given bail by the Berhampur Vigilance Court earlier yesterday. Each was released with two local sureties and a Rs 50,000 bond. The Court ordered them to desist from influencing witnesses, cooperate with investigators, and report to their local police stations on a regular basis.

The accused were detained for allegedly purchasing question papers or using leaked materials, and they were among those who travelled to Vizianagaram for the recruitment exam.
Nine suspects, including Muna Mohanty and five agents, are still in judicial prison even though the 114 examinees have been given free. According to court records, their bail requests were denied because they were allegedly instrumental in setting up the recruitment ring.
Crime Branch Has Not Yet Made Significant Progress
The Odisha Crime Branch, which had been investigating the matter prior to the handover, has not yet found the fugitives or completely uncovered the scam's underlying structure. The agency has not identified the entire money path, even after questioning dozens of people and looking through digital data.

It is noteworthy that one of the biggest exam-related scams in Odisha is said to be the SI recruitment scam. According to previous claims, the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) manipulated the selection process.
For their alleged involvement in question paper leaks and the sale of police positions for money, investigators detained 123 people in all, including 114 candidates and multiple operatives.
Preliminary investigations indicate that agents used falsified identification documents and digital communication tools to coordinate illegal activities in several states.