One who is born will die, says Gaur on Vyapam deaths

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Babulal Gaur, who has always been in the limelight with his remarks, was once again in the controversy when he termed the death of accused in MPPEB (Vyapam) scam as natural.

While talking to media persons, Gaur said, "Death is a natural occurrence. One who has been born will die." He also rejected the demands for a probe into the death of two accused in the MP Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) scam on Sunday.

He also dismissed Opposition Congress' repeated calls for ordering a CBI investigation into the scandal, commonly known as MPPEB scam, claiming the ongoing probe ordered by the State's BJP Government was proceeding in the right direction, he added.

When asked whether the Government was contemplating ordering an inquiry into the death of a large number of accused and witnesses in the scam in mysterious circumstances, he said, "Death is natural...be it in the jail or on rail (train), one who has been born will die."

Notably, on Sunday, two of the hundreds of accused in various MPPEB cases died, adding yet another murky chapter to the scam, taking the official death toll of the accused and witnesses to 25. The Special Investigating Team (SIT) probing the cases had three days back submitted to the MP High Court that 23 persons allegedly involved in the scam had died unnatural deaths.

The Congress has, meanwhile, accused the Chief Minister of a cover-up with its general secretary Digvijay Singh saying the party had lost faith in the HC-appointed SIT. The CM is trying to cover up (deaths) and we are fighting the battle in court. We have lost total faith in the SIT appointed by the HC. They themselves have conveyed their helplessness to guide STF investigation. We have no option but go to SC,” Court," he said.