Shivraj Singh Chouhan delayed CBI probe into Vyapam scam?

Even as Chouhan claimed himself to be a whistleblower in the case, Vidhan Sabha records contradicts his statement.

According to reports, in 2009, when an independent lawmaker Paras Saklecha asked in the Assembly whether there were any irregularities in the state's Pre-Medical Test (PMT) conducted by Vyapam or the state examination board, the government said it was gathering information on it.

Two years later, another lawmaker reportedly asked in the House whether there have been wrongful admissions in dental and medical colleges between 2007 and 2010.

However, Chouhan had then replied that they have not been able to identify any such candidate.

Later, he said 114 such students have been identified and the matter was investigated.

The Chief Minister received about 17 letters questioning the possibility of a scam in medical college admissions between July 2011 and June 2013.

He promised to investigate and report within 30 days but medical colleges concluded investigations six months later and only included students in their probe, said reports.

Since news of the scam broke in 2013, more than 45 people-all linked to it in one way or the other, have died premature deaths, several of them under mysterious circumstances.

The parade of deaths that apparently defies explanations has led to a countrywide outcry bolstering the opposition demand for a CBI probe into the who affair, which it describes as a sinister game.