12 Most deaths of people linked to the scandal are in Gwalior district
9 Those who died before they were named as accused
In nearly 90% of the deaths, no viscera has been preserved
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The Organisation
‘Vyapam’ is short for Vyavasayik Pariksha Mandal, or professional examination board
Set up in 1970 to conduct pre-medical tests, is now involved in admission and recruitment
Holds admission test for medical, engineering, law, dental, homoeopathy, teachers’ training colleges
Conducts recruitment tests for constables, inspectors, paramedics, peons and all positions in MP government not covered by state public service commission
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The Investigation
PIL into Vyapam’s functioning filed in Jabalpur High Court in 2009, which ordered investigation by a special task force in 2013
STF has arrested around 2,000 people, mostly students and teachers accused of using unfair means to secure admission; will arrest 800 more
The first probe committee, set up in December 2009, came up with its report after 24 months—it threw up 114 fake candidates
A second committee, this time to probe all admissions from 2006-12, pegs number of fake candidates at 296; in all, 876 students are said to have benefited
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Left to Right Ram Naresh Yadav, Sadhna Singh, Laxmikant Sharma
The Netas
Ram Naresh Yadav Governor, who rigged forest guard recruitments
Sadhna Singh CM’s wife, allegedly in touch with some of the accused
Laxmikant Sharma Ex edu min, arrested for amassing scam wealth
Suresh Soni Accused, along with late RSS chief K.S. Sudarshan, of issuing recommendation letters
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Dr Gulab Singh Kirar Accused of using influence or money to get son 1st rank in pre-PG (medical) in 2011
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Left to Right Sudhir Bhadoria, O.P. Shukla, Ajay Mehta
The Near & Dear Ones
Sudhir Bhadoria Controller of examination, Narendra Tomar kin
O.P. Shukla Laxmikant OSD, took Rs 85 lakh for clearing med entrance
Ajay Mehta CM’s family doc, arrested by STF, freed on bail in 3 months
Dhanraj Yadav Former officer on special duty to the governor, arrested
Prem Prasad Yadav, PA to CM, accused of getting a large number of students into medical college
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The Officers
Pankaj Trivedi Vyapam’s examination controller who provided model answers to students
R.K. Shivhare DIG; his son and daughter-in-law got into medical college; surrendered after evading arrest
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Ravikant Dwivedi Joint commissioner (revenue); cash, jewellery property of Rs 60-70 cr found
Ranjana Chaudhary, Retd IAS, alleged to have been paid Rs 42 lakh; not yet investigated
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The Other Notables
Jagdish Sagar Businessman, whose arrest in Mumbai in 2013 blew the lid off the scam, interrogation led to other arrests
Dr Vinod Bhandari Main accused, escaped to Mauritius when he was named in the scam, arrested on his return
Sudhir Sharma Involved earlier in MP mining scam, played a key role in Vyapam scandal