Oppn calls for SC-led probe into Vyapam deaths
The Opposition mounted pressure on the BJP over a professional recruitment exam scam in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, calling for a Supreme Court-monitored probe following a series of mysterious deaths of people linked to the case.
The funeral of journalist Akshay Singh — who covered the MP Professional Examination Board (PEB) scam and died on Saturday — saw Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, Digvijaya Singh and Ajay Maken, Aam Aadmi Party’s Arvind Kejriwal and BJP’s Satish Upadhyay in attendance.
“Since various issues are being raised with respect to the circumstances of this death, it would be absolutely important that a very fair inquiry is held so that all doubts can be put to rest,” finance minister Arun Jaitley said.
Hours after Singh’s death, the dean of a medical college in Jabalpur was also found dead, bringing the toll to around 40. “Vyapam scam n all deaths so far ought to be thoroughly investigated. Guilty must be punished,” read Kejriwal’s tweet.
But Chouhan refused to give in to the Opposition’s demands of a CBI inquiry but said he would write to the HC-monitored SIT to probe Singh’s death. “My government is not above the judiciary. When the high court has refused a CBI enquiry into the matter, how can we order it?” he said.
Police say the fraud — known as the Vyapam scam from PEB’s Hindi acronym – involved multiple rackets that helped candidates rig examinations for money, including employing imposters to write test papers, manipulating seating arrangements as well as supplying forged answer sheets.
“Pained to meet the mother, father & sister of Akshay Singh. My prayers are with them in this time of terrible grief: Rahul Gandhi,” said a tweet on Gandhi’s handle ‘Office of RG’.
Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia also demanded an independent probe into the deaths. But BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said, “Since the Vyapam probe is already being monitored by the MP high court, the BJP has already facilitated a courtmonitored probe.”
The saffron party is already under pressure over senior leader Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje allegedly helping former IPL chief Lalit Modi and charges of irregularities against two Maharashtra BJP ministers.
Home minister Rajnath Singh, in a telephonic conversation on Sunday, told Chouhan to ensure a thorough probe into the death of the journalist.