 "MPPEB scam: SHRC seeks reply from STF on mass arrests")
The special task force headed by additional director general Sudhir Sahi has reportedly arrested several students from across the state and attracted wide criticism.
"The acting chairperson of state human rights commission Justice A K Saxena took cognizance of the incidence and has demanded a reply from Inspector General Special Task Force and Deputy Inspector General Bhopal City in the matter," state human rights spokesperson Rohit Mehta said.
Meanwhile, MP State Women Rights Commission has also demanded explanation in a similar incident in which as many as 30 girls, who are accused in the case, were kept in inhuman condition in Women Police station of Bhopal.
State chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is also learnt to have discussed the matter with top officials of the state police and reportedly asked them to "follow court guidelines" in this regard. The special task force yesterday arrested nearly 200 students; most of them are juvenile and girls, from various places of the state during odd hours.
Reportedly a paralysis patient was also arrested in Gwalior and brought to Bhopal where he was kept in a local police station.
The scam which has raised many eyebrows, has attracted wide spread criticism, politicians and social organisations. However, while talking to Business Standard, state police chief Nandan Dubey clarified that those who had been arrested were involved in mustering support by canvassing and cash payment. There was enough evidence, according to him, against the accused as they maintained records of transactions. "It is a clear case of social crime," he said.
The STF has intensified its hunt to nab one of the prime accused Sudhir Sharma, who is still absconding. Meanwhile, Congress general secretary had alleged that the ex-minister Laxmikant Sharma had been arrested very late to protect state chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other RSS members. Neither the state chief minister nor the RSS has responded to Digvijay Singh's allegations so far. The leader of opposition in state assembly Satyadev Katare also demanded a CBI probe in the scam.
On Friday, the STF continued its drive to arrest more students and their parents who are anyhow involved in the scam. As many as 200 more are to be arrested. "It would take at least two weeks to complete the probe and bring each accused before justice," a highly placed police said.