So many scams have come to light that people have started calling Madhya Pradesh 'Scam Pradesh'. The news of arrests or the discovery of a new scam, which found place in the columns of newspapers of last 15 days, would provide enough indication of the trend.

The most sensational headline of the newspapers dated January 30 was 'Lokayukta cops dig out property worth Rs. 100 crore'. Sleuths of Special Establishment, of Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta raided the residence and business premises of R.K. Dwivedi, Joint Commissioner of Revenue Department and unearthed huge assets in his possession, vastly disproportionate to his known sources of income. During the raid, it was discovered that he owns two printing presses, a factory producing bricks in the name of his son, a hotel in the name of his wife, Rs. 15.22 lakh in cash, 360 US dollars, good amount of gold, silver and diamond jewellery, many bottles of imported whisky and eight plots and houses in various cities. The team also seized papers which indicated that very soon he was to open a petrol pump and a warehouse.

In the papers of January 30, there was a front page news item with the headline 'PMT Scam: Lokayukta raid at Pankaj Trivedi's brother's house'. Pankaj Trivedi, former controller of examination of MP Professional Examination board is in jail on the charge of several frauds which led to undeserving candidates being admitted to Medical Colleges and getting government jobs. His brother Piyush Trivedi is vice chancellor of 'Rajiv Gandhi Technological University', Bhopal. During the raids it was discovered that wives of both the brothers are partners in a college in Indore. They also share several other assets including several acres of agricultural land.

After the raid, the state government recommended dismissal of the vice chancellor. The governor, who is the chancellor of the varsity, is yet to take a decision on the issue. The same day, newspapers carried a story that Dr. Vinod Bhandari was produced in the court by the Special Task Force. Dr. Bhandari is the chairman and managing director of Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore. Dr. Bhandari was wanted in connection with pre-medical test scam.

A multi-millionaire, Dr. Bhandari had established contacts with the high and mighty of politics and administration. Dr. Bhandari evaded arrests for several days. His excuse was that he was being treated in a Dubai hospital. According to reports he is at the centre of one of the biggest scams that has rocked the state.

The newspapers of February 4 carried the report with the caption that special police establishment of Lokayukta submitted papers in the court in the case involving IAS couple Arvind Joshi and Tinoo Joshi. The Joshis were found to possess assets worth Rs. 300 crores. They are facing prosecution and also dismissal from the service under various provisions of prevention of corruption act and IPC.

On February 5, three persons were arrested on the charge of impersonation during the constable recruitment test at Bhopal. The same day two persons were caught for fraud in constable recruitment examination. The test is conducted by professional examination board. The board has been accused of various other frauds in the recruitment of police personnel.

Perhaps the most sensational arrest was made on February 6, when OP Shukla, officer on Special Duty to Laxmikant Sharma, former Higher Education, Culture and Information Minister, who was absconding for over two months, surrendered before the Special Task Force. Shukla too was wanted in connection with premedical test scam. The STF has named both Sharma and Shukla in its FIR.

Shukla was accused by other important functionaries who are in the jail of taking money worth Rs. 85 lakh. They alleged that the deal took place at the official residence of the Minister (Sharma). Shukla is reported to have admitted that he used to pass on names of candidates to be passed to the Board officials. These names were given to him by Sharma and also some other ministers. STF is interrogating Shukla. The other day a senior Professor of Bhopal University was also arrested on the charge of committing fraud during the valuation of answer books of students of Dental Colleges.

On February 12, daughter and son-in-law of RK Shivhare, Deputy inspector general of police, were arrested. Neha and Ajay were toppers in the 2013 PG Medical Test securing the 7th and 9th positions respectively in the post graduate medical test. It is alleged they managed to get top position by using fraudulent means. RK Shivhare who is an accused in police recruitment scam is still absconding. He has already been suspended by the government. Shivhare has allegedly given money to the kingpin of scam so that his daughter and son in law could secure places in the merit list. After passing the test they were admitted in the government medical college.

Many more scams my soon come to light. Meanwhile Congress and others are demanding handing over of these cases to the CBI. A former Congress Minister has gone fast unto death to press the demand for CBI probe. (IPA Service)