Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh ChouhanReuters

A social activist has alleged that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had deliberately delayed investigation into the massive Vyapam scam, according to reports.

In the state assembly in 2009, former independent MLA and activist Paras Saklecha had questioned the Chouhan government on the findings into the allegations of irregularities in the Vyapam-conducted Pre-Medical Test (PMT) in Madhya Pradesh.

And the government's response was, "We are gathering information on it," according to NDTV.

Chouhan had then constituted a committee to investigate the irregularities. However, when another MLA questioned on the findings of the investigation two years later, Chouhan said they have not identified any student who have cheated to get admission to medical colleges between 2007 and 2010.

"Time and again the issue of wrong doings by the MPPEB was raised in the Vidhan Sabha but the CM either formed a committee or said they are investigating it but never ordered any action then," Saklecha was quoted as saying by NDTV.

The matter was taken up for discussion again on 29 November 2011, and the answer was reportedly the same. "114 such students have been identified as having obtained wrongful admission and the matter was being investigated," Chouhan said.

After he received at least 17 letters on the findings on the Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal (Vyapam) scam between July 2011 and June 2013, the Chief Minister promised a probe within 30 days, but the investigation concluded in six months. Only some students were named in the scam.

The government, however, claimed that it had always answered the questions on scam.

"All the questions asked about Vyapam were answered by the state government. I can't recall if we did not answer some. If you feel that something was left out you can now go to the CBI which will be probing the Vyapam scam," state government spokesperson Dr Narottam Mishra said.