Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan wrote a letter to the Chairman of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) here on Sunday urging him to complete at the earliest the investigation into the deaths of individuals involved in the criminal cases pertaining to Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal (Professional Examination Board). He said that it will allay misgivings among the masses and will further improve the transparency of investigation and fairness.
Chouhan in his letter referred to the death of a TV journalist from Aaj Tak news channel Akshay Singh, who went to Jhabua to gather certain information related to Vyapam and died on July 4, 2015 there. He urged the SIT to conduct detailed inquiry into the causes and circumstances leading to death of Akshay Singh considering the demand for impartial inquiry into the death so that facts come to light.
He said that the investigation into the criminal cases relating to irregularities in the examinations conducted by the Professional Examination Board is going on under SIT’s supervision. Newspapers published details about deaths of certain individuals. Based on these reports, politically motivated efforts are being undertaken through the media to create misleading situation.
Chouhan also drew attention of SIT towards letters of BJP Madhya Pradesh president and MP Nand Kumar Singh Chouhan and senior minister of State cabinet Narottam Mishra written previously. He said that the High Court has taken cognizance of the facts related to the deaths and has expected the SIT to examine all relevant information and evidences.
The Chief Minister noted in his letter that all issues or incidents related to Vyapam are being monitored by the High Court and supervised by the SIT and can be impartially inquired into only by the SIT as it is part of the judicial procedure. Therefore, every citizen will have faith in impartiality and transparency.
In the light of prevailing circumstances and facts, Chouhan urged SIT to complete the inquiry at the earliest possible.
Earlier in the day the CM addressed a press conference over the sudden death of Akshay Singh on Saturday at his residence.
“I am very much sad over the death of Aksahy Singh, a journalist of Aaj Tak channel, who came to take interview. Since he came to cover the death of a woman, which was allegedly linked with the MPPEB, I think it would be appropriate that SIT looks into the matter,” Chouhan said.
The CM said he stood with the bereaved family of in this hour of grief. “My mind is full of agony and pain. Yesterday, a sad incident took place, where the journalist, Akshay ji, suddenly fell ill and was rushed to hospital but unfortunately passed away. We give our condolences to his family and assure them that the State Government is with them in this time of grief,” Chouhan said, at a press conference here.
Reports say that Singh felt chest pain while he was taking the interview. He was taken to the Meghnagar hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.