Bhubaneswar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Bhubaneswar Zone, on Friday conducted searches at 10 premises in Odisha and West Bengal in connection with the alleged question paper leak in the Odisha Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination.

The searches, conducted on October 9, 2026, cover premises linked to Silicon Techlab Private Limited, Panchsoft Technology Private Limited, their directors and other associated persons. The ED is examining the alleged role of the companies, their associates and other individuals in the recruitment examination scandal, the ED stated.

According to the ED, the case originated from an FIR registered by Odisha Police in October 2025. On September 30, 2025, police intercepted three buses carrying 114 candidates near Ichhapuram, a border town between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, in connection with the alleged leak of the SI recruitment examination question paper.

The examination had been scheduled for October 5 and 6, 2025. Investigators alleged that candidates were offered access to the question paper in exchange for amounts ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 30 lakh per candidate.

The case was subsequently transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Companies and associates under scanner

The ED said the question paper was allegedly leaked by persons associated with entities entrusted with conducting the examination. Their associates reportedly approached candidates and lured them with promises of providing the question paper in exchange for money.

The candidates' original certificates were allegedly collected as security or a guarantee in the suspected deal.

During Friday's searches, the ED is examining the roles of the agencies involved in conducting the examination and their associates to establish the alleged money trail and identify the individuals involved.

Search at Silicon Techlab Director's residence

In Odisha, ED officials conducted a search at the residence of Sanjeev Nayak, identified as the owner of Silicon Techlab Private Limited, as part of the operation.

According to reports, the team entered the premises with a search warrant. Officials from the ED's Bhubaneswar and Kolkata teams, along with bank personnel and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, were involved in the operation.

CRPF personnel were deployed around the residence while ED officials searched for documents and other relevant material inside the premises.

The searches are aimed at gathering evidence relating to the alleged examination paper leak and examining the involvement of the companies and individuals under investigation. Further action will depend on the evidence recovered and the findings of the investigation.