11 Things to know about Vyapam Scam (2004-2015)

The Vyapam Scam in Madhya Pradesh has triggered a massive political storm in India. The scam is not new and probe has been going for some years. But, the recent deaths of the accused and witnesses in this case, have hinted at bigger conspiracy angle. We have listed the key points related to Vyapam Scam.

1. The Vyapam scam was a massive admission and recruitment scam involving politicians, senior officials and businessmen in Madhya Pradesh.

2.  Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB), known by its Hindi acronym “Vyapam”, is responsible for conducting several entrance tests used for recruitment to government jobs and for admissions to educational institutes in MP.

3. Cases of irregularities in these entrance tests had been reported since 2004.

4. The tricks used in the scam included Impersonation, Engine and Bogie System and OMR Sheets.

* Impersonation: Admit Cards of the candidates were tampered with to allow other people to sit in the exam.
* Engine and Bogie System: A person allowed to seat between two other candidates so that they can copy from his sheet.
* OMR Sheets: Select candidates were asked to leave their answer sheets blank so that they can be given high percentages after the exam.

5. When major complaints surfaced in the pre-medical test (PMT) in 2009, a committee was formed to investigate the matter. The committee released its report in 2011 and over 100 people were arrested.

6. A Special Task Force (STF) was established in 2012. In 2013, it was revealed that many officers and politicians were involved in the scam.

7. Over 2,000 people have been arrested in connection with the scam so far, including former Education Minister Laxmikant Sharma. The arrested people included over a hundred of politicians, several MPPEB officials, bureaucrats, middlemen, students and their parents.

8. Governor Ram Naresh Yadav is a suspect in this scam, but has received immunity to stay in power. His former Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Dhanraj Yadav, was also arrested.

9. On November 5, 2014, Madhya Pradesh High Court rejected Congress leader Digvijay Singh’s petition for CBI probe and instead ordered setting up of a special investigation team (SIT) to act as a watchdog for the court. The SIT is a 3-member team chaired by Justice Chandresh Bhushan, a retired Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

10. So far, 46 people, including accused and witnesses died under mysterious circumstances. Some committed suicide to escape from the law. Some others died in road mishaps and a few people died of illness and stress.

11. Prominent Deaths – * Governor Ram Naresh Yadav’s son Shailesh Yadav, who reportedly died of brain hemorrhage. He was a key accused in the Vyapam scam. * Aaj Tak Reporter Akshay Singh, who died under mysterious circumstances while taking the interview of the parents of an accused (died earlier).