Vyapam scam accused commits suicide in Madhya Pradesh

Morena, July 26 (IANS) Praveen Yadav, an accused in the Vyapam admission and recruitment scam, allegedly committed suicide at his house in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday, the state police said.

He was to be presented before the Jabalpur High Court on Thursday.

The scam pertains to rigging of entrance examinations conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (popularly known by its Hindi acronym ‘Vyapam’), involving politicians, senior officials and businessmen in the state.

Superintendent of Police Aditya Pratap Singh told IANS that Praveen Yadav hanged himself at his house in Maharajpur perhaps under stress over Thursday’s scheduled hearing. No suicide note was found.

Praveen Yadav had gained admission to an MBBS course in 2008 and was named as an accused in the case in 2012 by an Special Task Force.

His family maintains that he was innocent and was framed in the case. Unemployment only added to his woes. Tired of being repeatedly questioned, he finally ended his life, the family said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating the scam after taking over the probe from the Special Task Force (STF) and the Special Investigating Team (SIT).

More than 50 people, including a TV channel reporter, have died during the course of investigation. Many are suspicious deaths.