Bhubaneswar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought the Odisha government’s clearance to examine Susanta Kumar Nath, a 1993-batch senior IPS officer of the Odisha cadre, who headed the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) during the recruitment process now under investigation in the alleged Sub-Inspector (SI) examination scam.
The agency has sought permission under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, before proceeding with any examination of Nath. The CBI has told the state government that the entire examination process is under investigation, including the role of the examination-conducting agency, OPRB and other persons associated with the process.
Why Is Susanta Nath Under the CBI Scanner?
The CBI’s communication came in response to a query from the Odisha Home Department regarding the status of the investigation and Nath’s role.
The agency indicated that after the statutory permission is received, officials of the examination-conducting agency and Nath may be required to be examined. This does not, by itself, establish any criminal involvement on his part.
What Is the Odisha SI Recruitment Case?
The investigation relates to alleged irregularities in the recruitment examination for Police Sub-Inspector and equivalent posts in Odisha.
The examination had been scheduled for October 5 and 6, 2025, but was cancelled after allegations of a question-paper leak emerged. The CBI subsequently took over the investigation into the recruitment process.
The probe is examining multiple components of the examination process, including:
- The functioning of the Odisha Police Recruitment Board
- The role of the private examination-conducting agency
- Preparation, printing and handling of question papers
- Other individuals and agencies associated with the recruitment process
- Possible procedural irregularities in the conduct of the examination
Question Paper Handling Under Investigation
Earlier findings reported during the CBI probe indicated that a private agency involved in preparing, printing and transporting the question papers allegedly changed question-paper sets at a Kolkata printing press without the OPRB’s knowledge. The CBI’s investigation has therefore widened beyond individual candidates to the broader examination process and agencies involved.
What Happens Next?
The CBI’s examination of Nath, if required, is dependent on the Odisha government granting permission under Section 17A. The agency is continuing to investigate the examination process and the roles of the recruitment board, examination agency and other persons connected with it.
At this stage, the CBI’s move concerns a possible examination of Nath as part of the wider probe and does not establish his involvement in the alleged scam.
Who Is Susanta Kumar Nath?
Susanta Kumar Nath is a 1993-batch IPS officer of the Odisha cadre. According to the Odisha Police’s official civil list, he is currently serving as Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Odisha, with additional charge of the Odisha Police Recruitment Board.
Nath was serving as OPRB Chairman when the SI and equivalent-post recruitment examination was scheduled in October 2025. He was also among the senior 1993-batch officers considered in the process for selecting Odisha’s next DGP earlier this year.
