Over 30 accused involved in MPPEB scam no more, says SIT

Bhopal, May 29: More than 30 accused wanted in connection with the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) scam have died since the probe began in 2012, said chairman of the special team monitoring the investigation in the scandal that has rattled BJP government in the state.

"More than 30 accused of the MPPEB case are dead," retired judge Chandresh Bhushan, Chairman of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) monitoring the Special Task Force (STF) investigation told PTI today.

He said while periodically monitoring the progress of investigation he has come to know about the deaths from the STF. One of the accused Shailesh Yadav (50), son of Madhya Pradesh Governor Ramnaresh Yadav, was found dead at his residence in Lucknow on March 25.

According to sources close to Justice Bhushan, he has asked the STF to furnish the details of the deaths. A member of the SIT, however, said he does not have the exact number of the MPPEB scam accused who are no more. [Digvijay Singh mulls approaching President on MPPEB scam]

"As of now, I can't say whether they had died before or after being made accused. There is a possibility that the accused who are at large might have died due to fear of arrest as those who have been arrested or surrendered did not get bail in the case," he said.

MPPEB scam pertains to massive irregularities and alleged corruption in admission and recruitment for jobs involving politicians, government officials and others.

Thousands of candidates are alleged to have secured admissions to medical colleges and other institutions and obtained jobs through use of unfair means like impersonation and bribery during the examinations conducted by MPPEB.

On May 5, the Madhya Pradesh High Court quashed the FIR against Governor Ram Naresh Yadav, citing immunity he enjoys while in office, but gave police the liberty to proceed "in accordance with law" once he ceases to hold the post.

The Governor's former Officer on Special Duty OP Yadav has been in judicial custody for more than a year for his alleged involvement in the scam.

Also, Laxmikant Sharma, a former state minister, is in jail in connection with contractual teachers recruitment scandal since last year. The scam is of such a magnitude that more than 2000 people had been arrested so far and still more than 650 people are wanted in it.

Congress leaders have demanded resignation of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan alleging he and his wife too were involved in the scam.

PTI