Vyapam scam: Why no action against mantrani & minister's wife, asks Congress

The Supreme Court has ordered for a CBI probe into all Vyapam scam cases and alleged deaths related to it

Report about mention of a "'mantrani' and a minister's wife" by a key accused in the Vyapam scam today gave fresh ammuntion to the Congress in its attack againt ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh, as it alleged that Special Task Force (STF) acted in a pick-and-choose manner due to presseure by government.

"Our allegation that the STF is acting in a pick-and- choose manner proved in the case of an FIR in forest guard recruitment case, which mentions that one of the key accused, former Vyapam Controller, Pankaj Trivedi, had told the probe agency about a 'mantrani' (woman minister) and a minister's wife during questioning. It (STF) never found out who they were," state Congress chief spokesperson K K Mishra told PTI.

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However, it was not clear as to whom Trivedi was pointing to as the FIR does not name any woman minister and minister's wife.

In the same FIR, MP Governor Ram Naresh Yadav was named as accused number 10, though the High Court had later quashed it with a direction that he (Governor) can be booked once he demits office.

Mishra accused the STF of not acting on Trivedi's statement under pressure from the state government. "Therefore my party insisted on a CBI probe in the case so that free and fair investigations take place in the matter."

On July 9, the Supreme Court ordered for a CBI probe into all Vyapam scam cases and alleged deaths related to it and also issued notice to the Centre, Madhya Pradesh Government and the Governor on a plea seeking his removal over his alleged involvement in the scandal.

The apex court's order transferring all Vyapam-related cases to the CBI came after the state government gave its consent to shift the probe from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the STF.

It issued notice and sought response of Centre and the state government on a plea for removal of the MP Governor for his alleged involvement in the scam. The court also issued notice to the Governor.