After 48 deaths and nationwide outrage, MP CM Shivraj orders CBI probe into Vyapam scam

BHOPAL: After 48 deaths, nationwide outrage and mounting Opposition pressure, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan finally recommended a CBI probe into the Vyapam scam and related deaths. The move also comes just two days before the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a petition in the case.
TOI, in its July 6 edition, had indicated Chouhan would agree to a CBI probe.
But the change of stance did not put an end to the controversy. MP home minister Babulal Gaur articulated his resentment: “Shivraj never consulted me on Vyapam cases.” Gaur, who lost the CM’s job to Chouhan, was quoted saying the matter would have been handed over to CBI long ago if he had his way.
READ ALSO: SC agrees to hear pleas seeking CBI probe on July 9
Talking to reporters in Bhopal, Chouhan said he has written to the Madhya Pradesh high court to order a CBI probe. “Let the truth come out when CBI investigates the case,” he said. Additional advocate general Pushpendra Kaurav confirmed to TOI, “we have filed a request in the court of Chief Justice A M Khanwilkar for a CBI probe. The court may hear our plea on Wednesday.”
READ ALSO: All you should know about Vyapam scam
Shivraj denied having talked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi before ordering the probe. “I spent a sleepless night and finally decided to hand over the investigation to CBI,” he said.

The chief minister, who so far refused to accept Opposition's demand for a CBI probe, blasted Congress for politicising the deaths. He said he had ordered an inquiry by Special Task Force, immediately after the scam was unearthed. “Congress distorted figures and also involved my family, which was unfair,” he said.
He said Congress linked all natural and unnatural deaths to the scam and after the sudden death of journalist, Akshay Singh, Congress held him responsible, which was uncalled for. “I believe in democracy and bow to the demand by public so that all questions raised on Vyapam be answered,” he said.
Defending his earlier decision to evade a CBI probe, Shivraj said he had no right to hand over investigation to CBI since it was being monitored by Jabalpur bench of high court. He said he has full faith in investigations done by special task force (STF) under the supervision of special investigation team (SIT) formed by high court. “I am recommending a CBI inquiry because government should be above suspicion,” he said.
READ ALSO: Vyapam death count rises by 2, Uma Bharti says she's scared
Vyapam surged into national headlines after two more deaths linked to the scam from Sagar and Tikamgarh districts of the state. Later, body of dean of Jabalpur Medical College, Dr Arun Sharma, who was part of the probe committee, was found dead in a hotel room in Delhi.
Till Monday, Shirvaj was not in favour of a CBI investigation into the scam. He changed his mind after the rising death toll in the scam triggered national and international headlines.
He also refused to reply on allegations levelled by senior BJP leader and Union minister Uma Bharti, saying he did not confront her in any case despite allegations. “She is a respectable party colleague and I will not say anything against her,” he said.
Editors Guild demands CBI probe into death of TV journo
The Editors Guild of India on Tuesday demanded a CBI probe into the death of TV journalist Akshay Singh who died under mysterious circumstances while covering the Vyapam scam. In a statement, guild chief N Ravi expressed shock and said the death was a “chilling reminder of the dangers faced by journalists investigating high profile scams”.
"The Editors Guild of India is shocked by the mysterious death of Akshay Singh of the India Today group who was investigating the Vyapam Scam and offers its deep condolences to his family,” he said. A Guild statement said, “That he should join the 40 plus people who have lost their lives speaks of the insidious forces at work and the state of law and order in the state. The Editors Guild demands a CBI enquiry into the death of Singh.”