A story sent by its New Delhi bureau has been published with the headline 'Clock Ticking for Shivraj'. The reports make pointed reference to the stand taken by Saharsbuddhe, BJP in-charge of Madhya Pradesh. Arun Jaitley and Uma Bharati have demanded fair independent probe into the Vyapam scam. It may be mentioned here that Shivraj Singh has been consistently opposing the demand of probe by the CBI. Perhaps the most forthright statement came from Union cabinet Minister Uma Bharati who said 'there was a need for a competent agency to enquire into the whole issue.' After that she made a shocking comment when she said that there was panic in Madhya Pradesh and despite being a Union Cabinet Minister she was scared for herself while visiting Madhya Pradesh.

She reminded that she was the first to demand enquiry by the CBI. Another English daily Hindustan Times, published from Bhopal headlined its front page story with the words 'In Chief Minister Chauhan's defence a sign of nervousness. “The story further says 'a section of BJP believes PM Narendra Modi will ultimately have to make a tough decision against Chauhan. The newspaper makes pointed reference to the Chief Minister's statement 'whatever may be the consequences I am ready to face it'. After quoting Chief Minister's words the HT comments that he never made such a remark in the past and perhaps it shows that Chauhan himself sees that he was on shaky ground'.

Perhaps the most hard hitting comment was made by Bhaskar in its front page editorial. The paper writes 'Sarkar Pak-Saf Hai to CBI Sai Kaisa Dar' (If the government is clean why it is afraid of CBI enquiry). The editorial addresses a question to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi who during election repeatedly declared 'Na Khaunga Na Kisi ko Khane Dunga' (Nether I will do corruption nor allow others to be corrupt). Despite clear-cut evidence that Vyapam scam is the biggest scandal of independent India, why Modi is silent. Similar views have been expressed by other local newspapers.

The Vyapam scam took an explosive turn after a Delhi based journalist Akshay Singh died in mysterious circumstance in Jhabua. This journalist was on an investigating mission. He died in Jhabua after interviewing the family member of a young girl who also died in mysterious circumstance. The next day after journalist’s death, Dr. Arun Sharma, Dean of Jabalpur Medical College was found dead in a Delhi hotel. Dr. Sharma was helping in the enquiry of Vyapam scam. Dr. Sharma died on July 4 and it is a matter of strange co-incidence that on July 4 last year the then Dean of Jabalpur Medical College was burnt alive in his own residence. The mystery about last year's death still remains unresolved. While the news of the death of a journalist and a doctor was still hitting headlines, two more mysterious deaths came to light. In one case body of a woman trainee sub-inspector was recovered from a tank in Sagar. A police training institute is located in Sagar. In another case a police constable who was quizzed in this case, ended his life.

While demand for CBI probe is being voiced by many parties and organisations, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh made it clear that the Vyapam enquiry may be handed over to the CBI only after the High Court's nod. Rajnath Singh was in Jhabua (Madhya Pradesh) to offer his condolences to the family of Dilip Bhuria, BJP member of Lok Sabha, who recently died after a short illness. Singh was accompanied by Shivraj Singh Chauhan who while talking to media observed that every death should not be linked with Vyapam scam.

It may be mentioned here that more than 41 persons directly or indirectly connected with Vyapam scam died since the commencement of enquiry into this scandal. Out of these 10 died in accidents, 5 committed suicides, 9 due to ailments, 7 under mysterious circumstance and 9 others due to unknown causes. What is surprising that though the investigation began two years ago, not a single case has been filed in a court.

A record number of 2000 persons are still in Jail awaiting their prosecution. Another 500 are still wanted. Those in the jail include a former cabinet Minister Laxmikant Sharma, many high officials, heads of medical colleges, students both boys and girls and parents of such candidate who got admission, through fraudulent means. Meanwhile Congress is mounting pressure for the CBI probe. Congressmen are holding demonstrations to press their demand for CBI probe. In Jabalpur Congress demonstrators were lathi-charged. Some of them received serious injuries. (IPA Service)