The Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe into the Vyapam scam; it also issued notices to the Centre and the MP government on pleas for removal of the governor
The Supreme Court yesterday ordered a CBI investigation in the massive admission and recruitment scandal in Madhya Pradesh that will also encompass deaths of people related to it as more skeletons tumbled out of Vyapam cupboard with yet another witness reported dead.
Admitting a number of petitions seeking a CBI probe into the scam, the court also issued notices to the Centre and Madhya Pradesh government on the plea for removal of Governor Ram Naresh Yadav, who was made an accused in one of the cases but got relief from the high court on the ground of immunity from prosecution he enjoys while in office.
A bench headed by Chief Justice H.L. Dattu asked the premier investigative agency to take over all Vyapam cases from the Special Task Force of the MP police by Monday and submit to it a report on July 24, when the court will take a call on monitoring the investigation, as sought by the petitioners.
The apex court's order transferring all Vyapam-related cases to the CBI came after the state government gave its consent to shifting investigation from the Special Investiation Team (SIT) and the Special Task Force (STF).
Before handing over the probe to the CBI, the apex court took on record the submission of Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who on behalf of the MP government said the state has no objection to transferring the investigation in Vyapam scam and deaths of people allegedly related to it.
"The Attorney General (AG) on instruction states that MP govt has no objection whatsoever for transferring the investigation of criminal cases relating to Vyapam scam to the CBI and the cases related to deaths of those allegedly connected with the scam for free and fair probe.
"We appreciate the stand of the AG. In view of the above we transfer investigation of all criminal cases relating to Vyapam scam and death of people allegedly related to it, to CBI," the bench, also comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Amitava Roy, said.
The court was hearing a clutch of petitions filed by Congress leader Digvijay Singh, whistle blowers in the scam Ashish Kumar Chaturvedi and Prashant Pandey, besides AAP leader Kumar Vishwas and a group of lawyers.
Death of witness
Even as the apex court ordered a CBI probe, reports came in from Bhopal of a special court having been informed about the death of yet another witness in the scam.
The Special Task Force of MP police, which hitherto investigated the scam, told the court that Sanjay Singh Yadav, aged around 35, died from illness at a private hospital in Bhopal on February 8. According to his family, he was suffering from Hepatitis-B.
Congress had claimed yesterday that 49 people connected to the scam had lost their lives so far.
SC: No remark on Guv
The Supreme Court, while issuing notices relating to the Governor that are returnable after four weeks, refrained from making any remarks on him when Kapil Sibal, appearing on behalf of Digvijay Singh demanded that Yadav demit office to maintain its dignity.
"We are not going to say anything on it," it said.
Yadav's son Shailesh, an accused in the case who was alleged to have accepted bribe for rigging Vyapam examination to favour some candidates, was the most high-profile person linked to the scandal to have died mysteriously. His body was found at his father's lucknow residence in March this year.
A beleagured Chouhan, whose credibility has been severely dented following the scam, hailed the apex court's order, saying,"I welcome it wholeheartedly. There was a burden on my heart."
Speaking to journalists in Bhopal, Chouhan said he would request the CBI to begin investigation at the earliest "so the truth comes before the country, the people, and justice is done".
He rejected Congress' demand for his resignation. "They ask for it (his resignation) 5-6 times a day.
Reacting to the development Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying" I have just one question. Mr Prime Minister, what you say must carry weight.
Cong, AAP: CM Shivraj Chouhan must resign
Congress and AAP yesterday demanded the resignation of MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan saying he had no moral right to continue in the post after the Supreme Court decision to hand over the probe into Vyapam scam and deaths allegedly linked to it to the CBI.
Welcoming the Supreme Court decision to hand over the cases to CBI, both the parties hoped that the apex court will monitor the investigations.
"The victims have to be given justice. It is very important for the Chief Minister to step down for proper investigations to take place. It would be proper that the Chief Minister resigns as the control of police is with him as of today. If he gets a clean chit, then he can come back," Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said.
He added that the Chief Minister in his letter to the High Court has not talked of the deaths in the case.
"We welcome the Supreme Court decision. We wanted the Supreme Court to monitor the case and we hope it monitors it," he said.
Speaking in the same vein, AAP spokesperson Ashish Khetan said after the Supreme Court expressed its "dissatisfaction" on the investigation by the state agencies, Chouhan should resign.
"Prima facie, the Supreme Court has found substance in all the allegations against Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his government that so far this investigation carried out by the state agencies is not satisfactory. The Supreme Court by transferring the case to CBI has expressed its dissatisfaction in the scam investigations so far.
"Now the Chief Minister is left with no moral authority to continue in his post," he said.
Journo's family refuse help from MP govt
The family of deceased journalist Akshay Singh, whom Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met yesterday, has refused any kind of help from the Madhya Pradesh government but demanded an impartial probe to ascertain the cause of his death.
After Chouhan visited the grieving family to offer his condolences, the deceased journalist Akshay's sister said, "The Chief Minister assured all possible help from the MP government. He even offered me a job at the Madhya Pradesh Bhawan in Delhi, besides monetary help."
Akshay's mother, however, said the family needs nothing but a thorough probe in this matter.
"When he left home, he was healthy, fit and fine. What happened all of a sudden that he died a mysterious death. We don't need any help but just a fair probe which can ascertain the cause of the death of my son," she said.
Governor Ram Naresh Yadav must resign
Welcoming the Supreme Court's decision to hand over probe into all Vyapam scam cases and related deaths to the CBI, Congress on Thursday said Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav should now tender his resignation on moral grounds.
"We welcome the apex court's historic and bold decision to hand over the Vyapam scam investigation to CBI. Besides, the Governor should resign on moral ground following a notice served to him," former Union Minister Suresh Pachouri told PTI in Bhopal.
The Supreme Court yesterday ordered CBI probe into all Vyapam scam cases and related deaths and also issued notice to the Centre, the Madhya Pradesh government and the Governor on a plea seeking his removal over his alleged involvement in the scandal.