Report about mention of a “’mantrani’ and a Minister’s wife” by a key accused in the Vyapam scam on Saturday gave fresh ammunition to the Congress in its attack against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Madhya Pradesh, as it alleged that the Special Task Force acted in a pick-and-choose manner due to pressure by the government.
“Our allegation that the STF is acting in a pick-and- choose manner proved in the case of an FIR in forest guard recruitment case, which mentions that one of the key accused, former Vyapam Controller, Pankaj Trivedi, had told the probe agency about a ‘mantrani’ (woman minister) and a Minister’s wife during questioning. It (STF) never found out who they were,” state Congress chief spokesperson K K Mishra said.
However, it was not clear as to whom Mr. Trivedi was pointing to as the FIR does not name any woman minister and Minister’s wife.
In the same FIR, MP Governor Ram Naresh Yadav was named as accused number 10, though the High Court had later quashed it with a direction that he (Governor) can be booked once he demits office.
Mr. Mishra accused the STF of not acting on Mr Trivedi’s statement under pressure from the state government. “Therefore my party insisted on a CBI probe in the case so that free and fair investigations take place in the matter.”
On July 9, the Supreme Court ordered for a CBI probe into all Vyapam scam cases and alleged deaths related to it and also issued notice to the Centre, Madhya Pradesh Government and the Governor on a plea seeking his removal over his alleged involvement in the scandal.
The apex court’s order transferring all Vyapam-related cases to the CBI came after the State government gave its consent to shift the probe from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Special Task Force (STF).
It issued notice and sought response of Centre and the State government on a plea for removal of the MP Governor for his alleged involvement in the scam. The court also issued notice to the Governor.
AAP demands Governor, CM's resignation
Meanwhile the Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday called for a CBI probe into the irregularities in admissions through Dental and Medical Admission Test (DMAT).
The Dental and Medical Admission Test (DMAT) to be held on July 12 was cancelled by Association of Private Dental and Medical Colleges (APDMC) a day after MP High Court ordered it to scan the OMR answer sheets of each candidate who will take the test.
Addressing a press meet, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said serious irregularities had taken place in DMAT examinations as well where beneficiaries were “high and mighty people” of the country.
“Vyapam is the biggest scam in the country, even bigger than NRHM scam in Uttar Pradesh. It is a ‘khooni’ (bloody) scam that has so far claimed 48 lives. Along with Vyapam, the DMAT scam should also be handed over to CBI,” AAP leader Sanjay Singh demanded told a press conference here.
“In such a situation, the Centre should dismiss Governor from his post and Chouhan should resign in order to ensure a fair probe,” Mr. Singh further said.
AAP workers staged a protest and took out a rally from state party office here on Saturday.
Noting that it will not allow even one more death, the Supreme Court transferred all criminal and death cases linked to the Vyapam scam to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a “fair and impartial” probe.
Far from the truth
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister gave replies contrary to facts to legislators
Nov 19, 2009:
FIR filed identifying nine fake examinees
Mar 31, 2011:
Chouhan says no impersonators have been identified
Feb 23, 2012:
Says candidate proofs sent to Forensic labs for verification
Labs reveal samples not received
The Supreme Court has ordered a CBI probe into the multi-crore cash-for-jobs scam in the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board that has resulted in unexplained deaths of key accused and witnesses.
A Trail of graft and gore
- 1982: Vyaysayik Pareeksha Mandel (Vyapam) set up to conduct entrance examinations for pro-fessional courses
- 2008: Recruitment tests for government Jobs also included
- July 5, 2009: Widespread irregularities in recruitments come to light
- 2009: Medical exam paper leaked; first complaint filed
- December, 2009: Chief Minister forms panel to probe scam
- Jul 7, 2013: Police register FIR, arrest 20 impersonators
- Jul 16, 2013: Jag-dish Sagar, kingpin of scam, arrested
- Aug 26, 2013: STF takes over probe, 55 FIRs registered
- Oct 9, 2013: Admissions of 345 examinees cancelled
- Dec 18,2013: Ex-Higher Education Minister Laxmikant Sharma booked
- Jun 29, 2015: SIT says 23 people related to scam died due to 'Unnatural causes"; unofficial count puts figure at 46
- July 7: Chouhan agrees to CBI probe
The Whistleblowers
Ashish Chaturvedi, 26-year-old social activist from Gwalior, claims CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan is a key player in the scam.
Prashant Pandey, cyber expert roped in by the STF, retrieved key Vyapam files.
Anvil Rai, Indore-based RTI activist flied a PIL which led to the probe.
Vyapam scam
High-profile deaths
> Shailesh Yadav
He was found dead at his home in Lucknow in March. He was accused of taking money to help candidates from Bhind clear the exam for contractual teachers.
> D.K. Sakalley
He was the Dean of Jabalpur Medical College. He was also allegedly linked to the scam; he died of burns under suspicious circumstances.
> Akshay Singh
He worked for TV Today group, died soon after interviewing parents of a girl who was an accused and had herself died in suspicious circumstances.
> Arun Sharma
He was also the Dean of the Jabalpur-based College. He was probing fake examinees in the Scam. He was found dead in a hotel in Delhi.
For full coverage of Vyapam Scam click here
Published - July 11, 2015 05:56 pm IST
