Delhi HC gives protection to Vyapam scam whistleblower

The Delhi High Court today asked police to give protection to a whistleblower of the Vyapam scam of Madhya Pradesh after he apprehended threat to his life for possessing key information regarding the case.
Justice Siddharth Mridul also issued notices to Delhi Police, Madhya Pradesh government, state police and the Special Task Force (STF) probing the case seeking their replies within four weeks on a plea filed by the petitioner.
"Till the next date of hearing (March 26) the SHO, Police Station Malviya Nagar is directed to provide adequate police protection to the petitioner after assessing the threat perception," the court said.

"In view of the facts and circumstances, it is further directed that respondents shall not remove the petitioner from within the territorial jurisdiction of this high court except in accordance with procedure established by law and without intimating the petitioner and his counsel on his behalf," it said.
The court also asked Delhi Police to take necessary steps in this regard within two days.
The court's direction came on a plea filed a petitioner, a computer expert (digital forensic engineer) by profession, who alleged that while working for STF during the probe into the Vyapam scam, he became privy to certain information, which according to him, is damaging to highly-placed individuals within the government and administration in MP.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioner, said that the petitioner was even arrested in a "false" case lodged by Madhya Pradesh Police and he was later granted bail in August 2014.