Congress to Chouhan: Explain 'criminal negligence' behind delay in Vyapam probe

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was asked by the Congress on Monday to explain the reason for the 'criminal negligence' behind the delay in the inquiry into the Vyapam scam.

"Why was Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan not able to stop this sinister scam between 2009- 2013 when he had known about the scam on 5th July 2009?" Congress leader Randeep Surjewala asked at a media briefing here.

"Will Shivraj Chouhan tell people of India the reason for the criminal negligence in delay in not conducting the inquiry in the Vyapam scam. Was the truth that only a lid was being placed on the Vyapam scam by such fallacious inquiries?" he added.

Surjewala further asked how a 'mammoth corruption scam' can be carried on without complicity and knowledge of the Chief Minister.

"How can a mammoth crime of the magnitude of Vyapam wherein future of 76 lakh was blocked, naked corruption took place, naked bribery was taking place. Scorers were being appointed, papers were being changed. How could such a mammoth corruption scam be carried on without complicity and knowledge of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan?" he said.

The Vyapam scam involved the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board or Vyapam, which holds the exams for positions like medical officers, constables, teachers and auditors for government departments.

The candidates allegedly bribed government officials to make it to the list of those who cleared the test.