Vyapam scam: Deaths may have no link but need to probe them, says SIT member

The SIT is overseeing the probe by the state Special Task Force (STF). On Tuesday, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, after stonewalling calls for an independent probe, announced that his government was asking the High Court to order a CBI investigation.

Vijay Raman, former special director of the CRPF and one of the three members of the SIT, told The Indian Express on Wednesday that all deaths must be investigated.

His view is different from that of Justice Chandresh Bhushan, the SIT chairman who maintains that there is nothing mysterious about the deaths of several accused, witnesses and others “related” to the scam.

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“There may be nothing wrong. But all deaths must be investigated. Whether they are suicides, murders or even natural deaths, they must be investigated. Nothing should be left unanswered,” Raman said.

Asked if he feels there is something wrong given the large number of deaths, he said, “I am saying everything may be normal. But so many deaths? An investigation is required.”

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Asked if he is “dissatisfied” with the ongoing STF probe, Raman replied in the negative. “It (STF) has done a good job so far. There are too many dots that need to be connected. We may have had some issues with STF functioning but no problem absolutely with the line of investigation.”

The SIT has so far submitted nine reports to the High Court on its investigation and the tenth report is to be submitted soon.

Asked if the tenth report will be submitted since the state has agreed to hand over the case to the CBI, Raman said, “The report is almost ready. Let us see what the court orders are. But if investigations are handed over to the CBI, then the SIT may not have a role.”