Bhubaneswar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday launched a parallel investigation into the alleged sub-inspector (SI) recruitment test scam, alongside the CBI, which is examining the criminal aspects of the case. The ED teams carried out searches at multiple locations in Bhubaneswar and Berhampur, linked to key accused, including Shankar Prusty, Suresh Nayak and Muna Mohanty, who are currently in judicial custody.The ED is looking into whether proceeds generated through the alleged racket were laundered through investments, property purchases or other financial channels.“Following allegations that crores of rupees were collected from candidates in exchange for leaked question papers, we are scrutinising bank accounts, property transactions and other financial records to trace the flow of funds and determine the scale of the illegal proceeds,” an ED officer said.The alleged scam surfaced in Sept 2025, days before the combined police service examination (CPSE), scheduled for Oct 5 and 6. The examination was abruptly cancelled on Sept 30 following allegations of a question paper leak.Berhampur police initially arrested 114 candidates for allegedly paying hefty sums to middlemen to obtain the question papers in advance. Police uncovered that aspirants were reportedly asked to pay up to Rs 25 lakh for guaranteed access to the questions.The state Crime Branch took over the investigation from Berhampur police on Oct 1, 2025. The state govt later handed over the case to the CBI on Oct 22, citing its alleged interstate ramifications. The CBI formally assumed charge on Nov 12 and filed its preliminary charge sheet against 16 accused on Dec 26.So far, 131 people have been arrested — 117 by Berhampur police, eight by the Crime Branch and six by CBI.According to CBI findings, the Odisha Police Recruitment Board (OPRB) engaged a central public sector undertaking (PSU) to conduct the examination for 933 vacancies: 609 police sub-inspectors (SIs), 253 armed police SIs, 47 fire station officers and 24 assistant jailers. The PSU subcontracted question paper preparation and printing to a Bhubaneswar-based firm, which in turn hired another local agency to provide manpower at examination centres. Investigating officers believe this multi-layered outsourcing arrangement created vulnerabilities that were allegedly exploited, compromising the integrity of the recruitment process.