While the Special Task Force probing the Vyapam scam has received the Madhya Pradesh High Court's nod to extend its probe to the alleged involvement of Governor Ram Naresh Yadav, Mr. Yadav is in no hurry to resign, Raj Bhawan sources told The Hindu .
The STF had come across some evidence against Mr. Yadav, at which point the Special Investigating Team monitoring the probe asked the court whether the STF could probe the Governor's alleged role. The court gave the permission last week.
According to article 361 of the Costitution, “no criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued against the President, or the Governor of a State, in any court during his term of office”.
However, senior police officials privy to the investigation clarified that no new proceedings would be initiated against the Ggovernor.
“If, while probing any case, authorities come across evidence that points towards the governor's role, they can make him an accused or secondary accused in the case. But any further action can only take place after the Governor resigns,” said the official.
Rajbhawan sources also said the Governor had not received any intimation or notice from any agency yet. “The Rajbhawan has not received any information on the matter...as of now the Governor is not resigning,” said the source on the condition of anonymity.
Ever since the court’s nod, there have been speculations that the Governor might resign soon. The Opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh, too, has its hopes pinned on the Governor's resignation. Once that happens, the Congress plans to build moral pressure on Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to tender his resignation.
Last year, Goa governor B.V. Wanchoo and West Bengal Governor M.K.Narayanan had resigned after being questioned by the CBI in the AgustaWestland chopper scam case.
Mr. Yadav’s son Shailesh Yadav is already an accused in the Vyapam scam, for allegedly fixing the recruitment of 10 candidates as grade III teachers.
However, the Rajbhawan had refused to accept a notice served by the STF last week to quiz Mr. Shailesh for his alleged role in the scam.
