Berhampur/Srikakulam, Oct 1: In one of the largest crackdowns on recruitment-related scam in recent years, Odisha Police arrested at least 119 individuals including 117 aspirants and two middlemen for their alleged involvement in a Sub-Inspector recruitment exam fraud.

The accused were detained late Monday night in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district, while they were reportedly being transported to Hyderabad for a so-called "special coaching programme" linked to the ongoing SI recruitment process.

According to sources, the operation was led by Berhampur Police in coordination with the Odisha Crime Branch following a late-night intelligence alert. A special police team intercepted multiple buses that had departed from Odisha, carrying the aspirants out of state.

The detainees were brought back to Berhampur and subjected to overnight questioning. Based on the interrogation, 119 individuals were formally arrested. All are expected to be produced in court later today.

Initial investigations suggest that the so-called coaching centre in Hyderabad was not a legitimate institute but part of an organised racket designed to manipulate the SI recruitment examination.

Candidates were allegedly promised guaranteed selection in exchange for a sum of up to Rs 25 lakh. The two arrested middlemen are believed to be local operatives who helped identify willing candidates and facilitated their movement to Andhra Pradesh.

While police have not yet revealed the identity of the masterminds behind the Hyderabad operation, officials confirmed that the evidence points to a well-organised and deep-rooted fraud network.

Following the arrests, the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) acknowledged the presence of illegal activity linked to the SI exam and announced the suspension of the Combined Police Service Examination (CPSE)-2024 written test, originally scheduled for October 5 and 6.

In a public notice, the OPRB stated that new dates for the examination would be announced in due course. It also launched a dedicated helpline (9040493223) for candidates and the public to report any suspicious activities or malpractice in the recruitment process.

The Board warned that any involvement in bribery or fraud during recruitment would be treated as a criminal offence, assuring strict legal action against all culprits.

Notably, the arrests in Berhampur mark the first large-scale police action in the unfolding SI recruitment scandal. Police sources estimate that more than 150 aspirants may have been involved in the Hyderabad-bound group, though only 119 were formally booked after interrogation.