Vyapam scam accused Praveen Yadav commits suicide

An accused in the infamous Vyapam scam, related to rigging of entrance examinations conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB), allegedly committed suicide today.

Praveen Yadav (27), named as an accused in the case in 2012, hanged himself at his house at Maharajpur near Morena town, police said.

In July 2015, the Supreme Court had ordered a CBI probe into all Vyapam scam cases after several persons -- accused or witnesses -- died under suspicious circumstances following uncovering of the racket.

"Praveen took this extreme step as he had been grilled in the case many times. He was distressed because of it," said Ramkumar Yadav, a relative, speaking to reporters.

Praveen had gained admission to the MBBS course at Gwalior's Gajra Raje Government Medical College after clearing Pre-Medical-Test (PMT) conducted by the MPPEB, popularly known by its Hindi acronym `Vyapam', in 2008-09.

When the scam came to light, the special task force (STF) which was probing the case then named him as an accused.

"He was regularly attending hearings of Vyapam-related case before the Jabalpur bench of the high court. The CBI had summoned him for questioning. He was in much distress and also jobless," said Rajkumar Yadav.

Praveen was the only son of his parents, he said.

"We have registered a case of suicide and are conducting further probe," said Ajay Channa, in-charge of Civil Lines police station in Morena.