Vyapam scam: Congress continues to demand CBI probe under SC’s supervision

Almost 2,000 people have been arrested since 2013 over the so-called Vyapam scandal in which thousands of people are alleged to have paid bribes in return for jobs on the state payroll or for places in educational institutes.

The announcement of the CBI probe came a day after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the government could not order a probe by the CBI till it received an order from the Supreme Court or the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Chouhan, who has been beneath intense opposition assault and mounting public outrage over a string of deaths of individuals related to Vyapam, introduced his choice to advocate to the excessive courtroom a CBI inquiry.

Now many leaders seek a CBI investigation under Supreme Court observation so that the truth is revealed.

Congress has also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not commenting on the deaths. Senior Congress head and previous Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, who was talked with promptly after, said Mr Chouhan ought to take matters into his own particular hands.

Chouhan, however, made it clear that he had full faith in the investigation by the SIT done so far which he underlined was being monitored by the high court. “For each silly issue asking the Prime Minister to answer is not fair”, he added. “There is no need for Congress monitoring it”, he said sarcastically.

The Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) scam, also known as the Vyapam scam, is a massive admission and recruitment racket involving several bureaucrats and politicians. So, if they have any connection… “The functioning of the government should be beyond any doubt”, the three-time chief minister said at a hurriedly convened press conference in Bhopal.

He refuted the opposition’s “baseless allegations” against him. “We could not afford to remain silent”, said a BJP leader. “Shivraj Singh Chauhan has also said so”, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said.

In the last week alone, at least five people associated with Vyapam, including Sharma and Singh, have died under mysterious circumstances. “I thought about the matter the whole night…”

The Vyapam scandal, with its many unanswered questions and intrigue, has been pounced upon by a flagging Congress party to try to reinvigorate its fortunes both in Madhya Pradesh state and nationally. Similarly, Sadiq Batcha, a businessman who suddenly became rich and close associate of 2G accused and UPA’s telecom minister R Raja, was found hanging on the day he was to be questioned by the CBI to trace the 2G money trail.

Asked if he wanted the CBI probe to cover cases of unnatural deaths as well, he said the agency should probe “all aspects”.

Whistleblowers and petitioners in the case have already been alleging that the scam goes right up to the chief minister’s doorstep and his office.

Indore-based doctor and activist Dr. Anand Rai had then /when/? filed a public interest litigation in the Madhya Pradesh high court.