VYAPAM scam: SC directs CBI to file forensic report in 6 weeks

The CBI was today directed by the Supreme Court to file a forensic report regarding electronic evidences being examined by CFSL in connection with the Vyapam scam within six weeks.
A bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and P C Pant said it may pass orders on the aspect of monitoring of the probe done by CBI after the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) report is submitted in a sealed cover and examined.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, appearing for CBI, filed a status report on the probe carried out so far in the scam in which it said that charge sheet has been filed against 80 accused. While one closure report has been filed, 13 preliminary enquiries have also been closed.

Kumar said the probe agency has requested the CFSL, which is examining the pen-drive of the whistle blower and a hard disk, to expedite the process and submit the report.
He alleged that several telecom providers were also not cooperating with the probe agency with regard to the case.
When the bench asked the CBI by when it expected the CFSL to file its report in the case, Kumar said CFSL at Hyderabad had several things at hand and could file the report in two months.

The court said there were two issues for its consideration -- the monitoring of the probe and a challenge to the order of the High Court.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Madhya Pradesh government, said the main prayer was for probe by an independent agency like CBI which has already been done.
At the outset, the bench said nothing much needs to be done in the matter and whatever grievances the petitioner had could be raised before the High Court.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the petitioners, said the CFSL was examining the electronic evidences and the court should first call for the report and then pass appropriate orders.
He said the pen-drive was given to the High Court but it has not been looked into and nothing has been done for years.

The apex court was hearing a bunch of petitions including
one filed by senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh seeking monitoring of the probe into all cases arising out of the Vyapam scam.
The scam relates to alleged irregularities in the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board, which holds exams for positions like medical officers, constables, teachers and auditors for government departments.
The apex court had in July last year ordered CBI probe into all Vyapam scam cases and alleged deaths of people related to the scam.
Madhya Pradesh government had given its consent to shifting of the investigation from the Special Investiation Team (SIT) and the Special Task Force (STF) to the CBI.

Singh and whistleblowers-- Ashish Kumar Chaturvedi, Prashant Pandey and Dr Anand Rai-- had moved the apex court seeking a CBI probe under its supervision.
Earlier, a group of lawyers and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kumar Vishwas had moved the court urging it to take cognisance of the scam.
The petition, filed by a group of lawyers, had sought removal of Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav on the ground of his alleged involvement in the massive admission and recruitment scam in the state and recording of his statement in the case.
In his petition, AAP leader had urged the apex court to take cognisance of the scam, alleging 45 people have died in mysterious circumstances in connection with the case.

The multi-crore rupees professional examination scam, involves several high-profile professionals, politicians and bureaucrats as accused.