All eyes are on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), whether it would submit a supplementary charge-sheet or register a fresh FIR against outgoing Governor Ram Naresh Yadav.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), appointed by the High Court, was investigating the case and Governor Yadav was named as accused in the forest guard recruitment case.
However, on May 5, 2015 the Madhya Pradesh High Court had observed, “While dealing with the primary question of extent of immunity and privilege extended to the Head of a State, during his term of office, which answers the jurisdictional fact, we proceed to quash the impugned FIR against the petitioner (Governor) on that count alone, with liberty to police to proceed in accordance with law, after the petitioner ceases to be the Governor."
"For, the immunity and privilege is only during the term of office. At the same time the immunity and privilege extended to the Governor will not impair or whittle down the powers of the police to investigate the criminal case registered against other accused who cannot claim such privilege and in the process, record statement of the petitioner, if required," the judges further observed.
While Yadav departed for lucknow soon after his farewell at the Raj Bhawan on Wednesday, political circles wonder whether the CBI would register a fresh FIR or grill him in connection with the Vyapam scam.
Yadav was the only Governor in Madhya Pradesh who faced criminal charges and faced stiff opposition from his own Congress party leaders. This was for the first time, when his own party workers and leaders demonstrated against him demanding his termination and arrest.
Yadav has been facing charges of involvement in appointment of five persons as forest guards in the Forest department.