31 convicted in Vyapam recruitment and admission scam case

The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on November 25.

The head office of the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board in Bhopal./ File photo

A CBI court on Thursday convicted 31 people in the infamous Vyapam recruitment and admission scam of Madhya Pradesh.

They were found guilty on a host of counts, including cheating by impersonation, cheating and forgery related to 2013 police constable exam conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB), better known by its Hindi acronym Vyapam (Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal), the prosecution said.

CBI special judge S.B. Sahu convicted the 31 accused, including 12 imposters and seven middlemen, said CBI special prosecutor Satish Dinkar.

The quantum of punishment to the guilty persons will be pronounced on November 25, he said.

The prosecution produced 91 witnesses and evidences to nail the culprits for cheating by impersonation, cheating, dishonesty, forgery, forgery for cheating and forging documents under IPC sections 419, 420, 467, 468 and 471, Mr. Dinkar said.

He said of the 12 imposters writing examination on behalf of other candidates, six each were arrested from Bhopal and Datia then.

The Vyapam scam refers to irregularities in exams held by the MPPEB for admission in professional courses and state services over several years. The scam hit national headlines in 2013.