Who is ‘mantrani’ dictating matters in Vyapam, asks Congress

Bhopal: The Congress has alleged the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh pressured the police not to investigate the alleged involvement of a ‘mantrani’ (woman minister) and a minister’s wife in the recruitment of forest guards.

Congress chief spokesperson K K Mishra said the STF did not find out who these two women were though key accused and former Vyapam controller Pankaj Trivedi had dropped enough hints. The special task force (STF) is acting in a pick-and-choose manner. However, it was not clear who Trivedi was pointing at 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 Special Task Force (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.