Did the Indore court deliver justice for deserving candidates in the Vyapam scam?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 12 individuals convicted in the Vyapam scam.
- Each sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment.
- Highlighting the inter-state nature of the organized fraud.
- Legal experts view this as a pivotal step towards justice.
- Calls for stronger safeguards in competitive examinations.
Indore, Dec 27 (NationPress) In a landmark ruling in the protracted Vyapam scam—one of the largest instances of recruitment and examination fraud in India—a special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Indore convicted 12 individuals for impersonation during the 2011 Pre-Medical Test (PMT) organized by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (Vyapam).
Each of the convicted individuals received a sentence of five years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 6,000.
The convicted parties, found guilty of impersonating candidates in the examination, have since been incarcerated following the court's verdict.
Among the 12, four are from Madhya Pradesh, while the other eight hail from Uttar Pradesh, indicating the cross-border operation of this organized fraud.
Judge Shubhra Singh, after a meticulous trial, deemed the accused guilty of orchestrated deceit.
The case involved authentic candidates who applied, imposters who took their place, and intermediaries who colluded for financial profit.
The court stressed that such infractions not only breach legal statutes but also cause significant injustice to deserving students, depriving them of rightful opportunities in medical education.
"This is a betrayal of the futures of deserving candidates," the court remarked.
One additional accused, who was a minor at the time of the offense, had his case addressed separately earlier.
The Vyapam scam, which came to light in 2013, revealed a vast conspiracy implicating officials, politicians, and fraudsters manipulating examinations for government employment and professional courses.
Thousands faced allegations, with numerous deaths associated with the investigation contributing to its notoriety.
The probe was handed over to the CBI following directives from the Supreme Court in 2015.
This ruling adds to a sequence of verdicts related to the Vyapam cases, reinforcing the call for accountability.
Earlier this month, similar sentences were imposed in other fraudulent cases, including irregularities in Patwari recruitment.
Legal experts regard this judgment as a pivotal step toward resolution in the decade-long scandal, although many cases remain unresolved.
Advocates for the victims emphasize the necessity for enhanced measures to prevent future malpractices in competitive examinations.
The convicted individuals are likely to appeal, but the immediate sentences serve as a strong deterrent against examination fraud.