Vyapam scam: 44 mysterious deaths; what's the MPPEB scam all about?

Updated: Monday, July 13, 2015, 16:09 [IST]

Bhopal, June 30: Massive multi-layered Vyapam scam or the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) scam has put Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan led-BJP government in the dock, from the last two years.

One scam has reportedly led to at least 44 deaths of those, who were directly or indirectly linked with the alleged scam, as accused, whistle-blowers or witnesses.

However, Madhya Pradesh government claims 25-scam related deaths. So far, more than 2,000 people have been arrested in the case. [Vyapam scam: The accused and the dead have a story to tell]

Key accused in the MPPEB scam are: Laxmikant Sharma, former education minister of the state, Dhanraj Yadav, former OSD to governor, RK Shivhare, DIG, Ram Naresh Yadav, governor and OP Shukla, Laxmikant Sharma's OSD.

Here is the list of some high-profile people who have died mysteriously, in connection with the MPPEB scam:

Amit Sagar: On of the prime accused in the case, Indrajeet Bhushan revealed his name. Sagar was a veterinary student in Mhow and was found dead in a pond in Sheopur district of the state in February in 2015.

Narendra Singh Tomar: 29-year-old Tomar, a veterinarian, was found dead mysteriously in Indore jail on Sunday, June 28, adding another murky chapter to the scandal.

Shailesh Yadav: Son of Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav, 50-year-old Shailesh was found dead at his father's residence in Mall Avenue area of Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow on March 25 in 2015.

Dr Rajendra Arya: 40-year-old Arya reportedly died due to a disease in Gwalior's Birla Hospital.

Ramendra Singh Bhadoria: 30-year old Ramendra was found hanging at his home in Gwalior a few days after an FIR was registered in January 2015.

Dr DK Sakalley: The dean of Netaji Subhashchandra Bose Medical College of Jabalpur, succumbed to burn injuries in July 2014.

Vijay Singh: Singh, a pharmacisit and a resident of Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at a lodge in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district in April 2015.

Namrata Damor: Namrata, student of MGM Medical college, Indore, was found near railway tracks at Kayta village in Ujjain on 7 January, 2012.

Premlalta Pandey: Premalata, a student and a resident of Nehrunagar, Bhopal, died of liver cancer on May 17,2013.

Other accused/suspects and whistle blowers, who died mysteriously, in connection with the MPPEB scam are:

Anamika Kushwaha, Trainee Sub-Inspector: She was found dead in a pond under mysterious circumstances. [Vyapam scam: Now a trainee woman cop dead]

Dr Arun Sharma, Dean of Jabalpur's NS Medical College: He was found dead in Uppal Hotel, near the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, Delhi. [Jabalpur medical college dean found dead in Delhi]

Akshay Singh, TV Journalist: Akshay had had gone to Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh for the coverage of the recent deaths due to the scam in the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB). He passed away, after he became unconscious. [Vyapam scam: Slain TV journalist Akshay Singh cremated; SIT to probe his death]

Anshul Sanchan

Anuj Pandey

Vikram Singh

Arvind Shakya

Kuldeep Maravi

Anantram Tagore

Ashutosh Tiwari

Gyan Singh (Bhind)

Pramod Sharma (Bhind)

Vikas Pandey (Allahabad)

Vikas Thakur (Barwani)

Shyamveer Singh Yadav