New Delhi: It is now a full-fleged slugfest between the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Madhya Pradesh and opposition parties over the Vyapam scam. The BJP-led Central government on Monday ruled out a CBI probe into the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh as troubles mounted for Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan after a woman trainee sub-inspector recruited by the state board was found dead in a lake.
Talking about the call for a CBI probe into the scam, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that there was no need for a probe by the central agency as both Madhya Pradesh High Court and Supreme Court were satisfied with the ongoing investigation.
The Home Minister, however, added that the government had no objection to a CBI probe if the Madhya Pradesh High Court or the Supreme Court recommends it. He also hit out at the opposition, saying they must not "influence the ongoing probe".
While politics over the alleged scam continues, people having links to Vyapam continue to die under mysterious circumstances. There have been at least three Vyapam-linked deaths in less than 72 hours. While a journalist covering the scam died on Saturday, a medical college dean breathed his last on Sunday while a trainee sub-inspector recruited through Vyapam was found dead in a lake in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district on Monday morning.
Opposition had demanded the resignation of Chouhan following the series of mysterious deaths in the last few years. However, Chouhan on Monday said that it is "not fair" to link all such "unfortunate incidents" with the scandal.
Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress said he should explain and take moral responsibility for the events.
"Shivraj Singh Chouhan should be sacked and an impartial probe should be done in the Vyapam scam," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.
In more trouble for Chouhan, whistleblower Dr Anand Rai, who uncovered the Vyapam scam, accused the Madhya Pradesh government of trying to muzzle the whistleblowers. He alleged that whistleblowers have been receiving several threats.
Union Water Resources Minister and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti also said that the Vyapam scam has created a fearful situation and the state government should go to the High Court again for a fair enquiry.
"This scam has created a fear, Madhya Pradesh government should approach the High Court again" said Bharti. On being asked about a CBI probe into the matter, Bharti said, "It is upto the state government to decide."
The Vyapam scam has become a major political controversy with numerous witnesses and accused dying under mysterious circumstances. The Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) scam relates to irregularities in admission in state-run medical colleges and recruitment in government jobs.
Alleged financial and administrative irregularities, including unauthorised disposal of application forms, worth crores of rupees by the MPPEB have been pointed out in an audit report.
The MPPEB conducts entrance and recruitment tests for admission in medical and engineering courses, and selection in certain government services, among others.
It has been alleged that corrupt officials at the board took money to compromise the examination and recruitment for several professional courses. These courses include pre-engineering, pre-medical, MCA, teaching among others.
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