Gwalior man who blew lid on MPPEB scam faces life threat

BHOPAL: Gwalior-based social activist Ashish Chaturvedi, who blew the whistle on the chief minister's relative and seven others for their role in MPPEB scam, has been tersely told by police to either cough up Rs 50,000 for protection or remain confined in his home after he complained of threats to his life. He has already suffered three attacks on his life, including an abduction bid.Chaturvedi has not moved out of home for last four days.
Despite a Whistle Blower's Protection law in force, those who blew the lid on the MPPEB scam, including Indore-based activist, Anand Rai, have faced threats to their life and denied police protection. Rai had to move high court to get security cover. Now, Chaturvedi too plans to move court.
Talking to TOI on phone, he said, "Instead of providing security, police officers advised me to stay indoors."
It was Chaturvedi's complaint that forced special Investigation team (SIT) investigating the scam to lodge FIRs against eight people, including former PEB exam controller Sudhir Bhadoria, his successor Pankaj Trivedi, son-in-law of former minister Shitla Sahaya, B R Srivastava, Gulab Singh Kirar's son Shakti Singh, ASI Veer Bhahdoor Singh Bhadoria, Vishal Yadav and Rashmi Parihar. Kirar is a relative of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and had plans to build a sprawling medical college in Morar.
Chaturvedi had also petitioned CBI to probe admissions of 5,000 doctors in MBBS and PG courses of 2003-2013 in all state colleges.
The first whistle blower in the case, Anand Rai, was granted security on high court orders on April 16. Justice SC Sharma had ruled that security should be given to Rai till investigation in PMT scam was over. When police counsel argued they were short of staff, Justice Sharma said, "Dr Rai needs more security at this hour. If you don't have adequate force, please take out guards from my security and give it to him," And this was how Dr Rai got a gunman.
Earlier, Rai had approached police and was asked to pay up Rs 50,000 for protection, which was more than his monthly salary. "I received several threats. PMT scam is a big issue and several powerful people are involved. The decision will help me and other activists," he said.