Was Vyapam whistle-blower Dr. Anand Rai shunted out due to the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Madhya Pradesh government’s “mala fide” intentions?
Though the State has rejected this claim, it remains evasive in rebutting the allegations made by the Indore-based doctor on his frequent transfers and that of his wife, Gouri Rai. Dr. Rai has alleged that he and his wife were targeted for his role in exposing the Vyapam scam.
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The court earlier this month stayed the couple’s transfers and directed the State to file a detailed reply in the specific allegations of “mala fide” intentions made by Dr. Rai. In its response, a copy of which is with The Hindu , the State government has submitted that Dr. Rai’s transfer was a “routine official exercise” with “no mala fide intention.” If Dr. Rai feels that he has been “harassed because of exposing Vyapam and DMAT scams,” he is “harbouring a misconception,” Sharad Pandit, divisional joint director, health services, Indore, said.
However, the State has not responded to specific allegations. Its response also excludes the mention of Dr. Rai’s wife, even though she was also shunted out, and earlier suspended, controversially. “It would not be appropriate to respond to those allegations at this point, as they are either sub judice or under investigation,” the State said.
However, Abhinav Dhanodkar, Dr. Rai’s counsel, said the State was legally bound to respond to specific allegations against it.
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