Centre’s no to CBI probe; one more dead

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 6

The death of a woman trainee sub-inspector in Madhya Pradesh today added another twist to the Vyapam scam as the Centre and the BJP mounted defence amid demands by the Opposition for CM Shivraj Singh Chohuan’s ouster and a Supreme Court-monitored probe.

Edit: The stink of deaths

The body of trainee sub-inspector Anamika Sikarwar, who was selected through a Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board test, was found in a lake near the State Police Training Academy in Sagar.

The death of three victims — journalist Akshay Singh, Jabalpur Medical College dean Arun Sharma, both working on the scam, and the SI — in as many days provided more impetus to Opposition demands.

The Congress, CPM, Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party came up with demands for the removal of the Chief Minister, Governor Ram Naresh Yadav and a probe by team under the supervision of the apex court. But the Centre said since a Special Investigation Team appointed by the MP High Court was investigating the case, the state could not be directed to hand over the probe to the CBI. The Supreme Court today agreed to hear on July 9 petitions seeking its intervention in the investigation. One of the petitions sought the removal of Governor Yadav for his alleged role.

In Jhabua (MP), Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the SIT probe into the scam was being monitored by the state High Court and the government could not direct the court to hand it over to the CBI.

The Congress, which sought an SC-monitored CBI probe, stepped up its attack on Chouhan, demanding his removal to allow an impartial investigation. It said Chouhan could not escape responsibility for “45 deaths” of those having some connection with the case. “Shivraj Singh Chouhan should be sacked and an impartial probe be conducted in the Vyapam scam,” said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

Chouhan said the Sagar incident was not linked to the Vyapam probe. “It (SI’s death) is a sad and unfortunate incident. But with all responsibility, I say there is no connection with Vyapam or its probe. And it is not fair to link all such unfortunate incidents with Vyapam,” he said. Sagar Superintendent of Police Gautam Solanki said the police suspected Anamika’s death to be a case of suicide, a claim dismissed by the Congress. In Delhi, Police Commissioner BS Bassi said initial investigation into dean’s death did not suggest any foul play.