Former Higher Education Minister laxmikant Sharma appeared before the STF for the second time on Monday in connection with the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) scam.
The STF interrogated the former minister for over five hours besides he was also brought face-to-face with two accused in the case. During the interrogation, he denied all the allegations. His statements would be later verified.
Sources from the police department informed that Sharma was summoned through a notice to appear before the STF on Monday.
Sharma reached the STF headquarters at about 12 o’clock. The first round of investigation lasted for about two and a half hours and after that the main accused in the scam, Pankaj Trivedi and Nitin Mahindra, were brought who are currently in police remand.
The STF brought both the accused one by one face-to-face with Sharma and asked questions and counter-questions. This continued for about one hour and after that both the accused were produced in the court as their police remand was till Monday only. After the departure of both the main accused, the STF again interrogated Sharma that lasted till 6 pm and after that he was set free.
Police sources informed that now the statements of Sharma would be cross-checked. Till now the STF has failed to collect sufficient evidence against him and that is why he could not be arrested. Sources said that the STF is collecting evidence against Sharma and as soon as it would get adequate evidence against him he would be arrested.
Notably, two cases of falsification and recruitment by taking money are registered against Sharma in the recruitment of contract teachers class 2 and 3. Unlike other accused he has been only named in the case but has not been arrested due to lack of evidence.