CBI conducts searches at 40 places in UP, MP in Vyapam scam

New Delhi, Sep 24: CBI today carried out searches at nearly 40 places in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pardesh in connection with alleged irregularities in the conduct of examinations by MP Professional Examination Board or Vyapam.

CBI sources said the coordinated search operation was conducted in Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Rewa, Jabalpur, Lucknow and Allahabad among others cities.

They said the searches are not case specific and aimed at unravelling the larger conspiracy of alleged corrupt practices in the conduct of the examinations. The agency has registered over 105 cases in connection with various aspects of Vyapam scam. The Supreme Court has directed the agency to take over all Vyapam scam matters irrespective of their present status.

"Whatever is the stage of the case, you (CBI) will have to take over all the matters," a bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu had said, while allaying the apprehension of CBI that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and Special Task Force (STF) of state police may not cooperate with it if it takes over the cases which were in trial stage.

"You take over and the SIT/STF will cooperate with you, We will ask them to co-operate," the bench, which also comprised justices C Nagappan and Amitava Roy, had said.

Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, appearing for CBI, had said there were difficulties in taking over 72 cases, which were at different stages of trial, as they were being prosecuted by SIT/STF and their investigation officers (IOs) may not extend cooperation to the CBI.

PTI