Vyapam scam: Chouhan rules out CBI probe into journo's death

Akshay Singh suddenly took ill and died after interviewing parents of Namrata Damor, who was found dead near railway tracks in Ujjain

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday ruled out a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of television journalist Akshay Singh, who was covering the Vyapam scam. The CM said he would write to the special investigation team (SIT) probing the scam to investigate the death of the journalist as well.

The journalist was doing an investigative story on the death of a girl named Namrata Damor, whose name figures in the multi-crore entrance exam scam; her body had been found under mysterious circumstances near railway tracks in Ujjain district. The journalist suddenly took ill and died on Saturday after interviewing the parents of the girl, whose. According to prima-facie reports, the journalist died after suffering a cardiac arrest. “We will write to SIT to investigate the death of the journalist. It was very unfortunate and I am in deep pain,” said Chouhan.

Read more from our special coverage on "VYAPAM SCAM"

• Vyapam Scam: SC to hear petition for removal of MP Governor on July 9
• Vyapam: SC to hear plea seeking removal of MP Governor
• Kejriwal urges to PM break silence over Vyapam
• Vyapam scam: MP CM cannot escape responsibility, say Cong
• Every death should not be linked to Vyapam scam: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

The SIT has been constituted by the Madhya Pradesh High Court to monitor the Vyapam scam investigation.

According to the state government, 25 persons having some connection with the scam have died so far. According to the Congress, this figure is 48.

“All deaths in the scam should be probed. It should also be probed as the state government had earlier written to the SIT for such investigations,” Chouhan added.

Terming the Vyapam episode the “most sinister scam of India”, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said Chouhan should stop 'parroting' his stated position of an SIT probe and, instead, show courage to recommend a CBI investigation. “We see it as nothing but a ruse on part of the Chief Minister to quieten truth and divert attention from a fair investigation.”

The Left parties, too, demanded a Supreme Court-monitored CBI probe into the matter. “It is unprecedented that there have been claims of deaths of over 47 people associated with the case under mysterious circumstances. Journalists reporting on the issue have also died... So, we think there should be a thorough inquiry — a CBI inquiry under the supervision of the SC,” said Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

K K Mishra, spokesperson of Congress’ Madhya Pradesh unit, said the admission and recruitment scandal has become “Asia’s biggest scam”.

Chouhan said his government would follow whatever the court orders. He clarified the post-mortem of the journalist was conducted on Saturday at nearby Dahod district hospital in Gujarat, where the journalist was rushed to. The postmortem is videographed and the report is awaited.

The CM also clarified that his government has no role in the investigation because the high court is monitoring it through SIT.

Chouhan noted that the Madhya Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court had already said monitoring of the investigation through SIT was going on in the right direction and there was no need for a CBI probe.

On Sunday, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi attended the last rites of journalist Singh in Delhi. “Pained to meet the mother, father and sister of Akshay Singh. My prayers are with them in this time of terrible grief: Rahul Gandhi," said a tweet on his Twitter handle 'Office of RG'.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyaya, Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken also attended Singh’s last rites.