Vyapam scam: The CBI's manpower troubles

New Delhi, July 20: The Vyapam scam being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation is probably one of the most complicated ones for the premier agency.

Struggling with a shortage of staff, the CBI will tell the Supreme Court on July 24th that there is a need for more manpower if the correct results are to be achieved during the investigation.

The CBI team headed by joint director R P Aggarwal and DIG Ashwini Chand is probing the scam with a team of 40 members. The case is so complex and diverse that 40 persons are not sufficient to probe the matter, a CBI official informed OneIndia while adding that they would report the same to the Supreme Court which is monitoring the probe.

185 FIRs and 40 officers:

The CBI has already filed 185 FIRs in connection with the case. This is the magnitude of the case and while the CBI is probing the scam by itself, it also needs to look into the 49 alleged mysterious deaths. Taking into the consideration of the number of FIRs and also the multiple angles involved in this case, the CBI would need more manpower.

An officer said for the Saradha scam investigation it had a team of over 20 officers. In the Vyapam case it would need a minimum of 150 officers. The officers would be required in all fields which would include investigators, legal officials among others. The case not only has to be investigated, but it is equally important that documents are submitted before the courts in quick time.

Many times investigations move at a fast pace, but there is an inordinate delay in filing documents before the court. The accused persons who will be taken into custody also need to go through a legal process. None of the accused should be able to get the benefit of the doubt due to a slower process legally and hence there is a need to have several legal officers as well, the officer also informed.

Vyapam not the only probe:

The problem for the CBI is that the Vyapam scam is not the only case it would be investigating. There are other ongoing investigations and manpower cannot be taken from there to accommodate the probe into the Vyapam scam.

The investigations into the Saradha scam which is also being monitored by the Supreme Court is heading towards a close. Moreover it is a very crucial juncture and hence the CBI would not want to interfere with the probe for now.

The initial part of the probe is always very crucial as the foundation is what is extremely important. Currently the CBI is scrutinizing nearly 20,000 documents in connection with the Vyapam scam. In addition to they would also need to examine the other evidence and also question around 1,000 persons in connection with the case.

OneIndia News