Mystery shrouds death of MP Governor's son

Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav’s son, Shailesh Yadav, whose name figured in the multi-crore  MP Professional Examination Board scam, died under mysterious circumstances at the private residence of his  father at Mall Avenue in lucknow.  Shailesh Yadav, an accused in the Vyapam scam, was charged with taking bribes from ten applicants appearing for the contractual teachers’ examination in Madhya Pradesh.  According to sources, properties of Shailesh Yadav were on the verge of being attached by investigating agencies and he was under a lot of stress for the last few weeks. Fifty-year-old Shailesh Yadav, was the second son of Ram Naresh Yadav, whose family belongs to Phoolpur Tehsil of Azamgarh.  

Shailesh Yadav was living with his wife Shashank Madhuri and daughter Chunmun. His son Neeshu is studying in a college in New Delhi. Shailesh owned a petrol pump in UP.  Around 5 am on Wednesday, when Shailesh’s domestic help went into his master’s bedroom he found Shailesh lying on the ground with blood oozing out of his ears. He immediately informed Shailesh’s wife Madhuri about this. She called a doctor, who declared him dead. later the family called the police. 

The police team that reached the house for investigation was assisted by forensic experts. According to the police, Shailesh Yadav 

was diabetic and was under treatment. 

“The autopsy is being conducted as per the standard norms and procedures of investigation of the case that comes to police notice,” Circle Officer, Hazratganj said. He said the autopsy was being conducted by the doctors and a report was awaited. He said the cause of death could be ascertained only after the autopsy report was obtained. 

However, family sources said Shailesh Yadav died due to brain haemorrhage.  On hearing the news about the death, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rita Bahuguna Joshi reached the house and offered their condolences. Joshi termed the death “natural” and asked people not to politicise the issue. However, the Congress party wrote letters to the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

“Shailesh Yadav’s death was not a natural one. He was an accused in the Vyapam scam, but the allegations have not yet been proved. The cause of his death must be made public. This will be possible only if the death is investigated by the CBI. We have requested the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to look into our demand,” said Satyadev Katare, leader of Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly. The Special Task Force of police had registered a case against Shailesh Yadav, and he was also issued summons. 

The STF had also visited Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh while searching for him. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday visited the private hospital in Bhopal in which Governor Ram Naresh Yadav was undergoing treatment for some undisclosed illness.

He expressed profound grief on the death of Shailesh Yadav and prayed for peace of the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family.

Sources said that the family members of the Governor had requested the hospital authorities not to tell him about the death of his son. Following this, neither the hospital authorities nor the family members informed Yadav about the death in the family.

However, sources claimed that family members are planning to airlift the Governor to lucknow on Thursday as the last rites of his son, that would be performed here on Thursday. Ram Naresh Yadav has two other sons, Kamlesh Yadav and Ajay Naresh Yadav.