NEW DELHI:The countdown has begun for Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav, an accused in the Vyapam Scam, after the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a CBI probe into the irregularities and the deaths linked to India’s biggest recruitment scandal.
A top Home Ministry official told Express that a decision on Yadav’s fate will be taken after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from his foreign trip on July 13. He confirmed that the Ministry has sought an opinion from the Attorney General on the court’s notice as per the procedure in such cases.
“Supreme Court has not observed anything against the governor but given the fact that there is a demand that he should demit the office to maintain its dignity since he was named as accused in STF FIR, a decision for removal could be one of the options but we have to examine the facts and follow the procedure. A final decision is likely to be taken after PM’s return,” he said, adding that the PM and Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s meeting is expected the day PM returns.
On being asked whether the Home Ministry has sent any indication to the governor to resign instead of his unceremonious removal, the official clarified that feelers were sent to him in February 2015 when the STF filed the FIR but he did not resign.
“At least that could have saved him from embarrassment as the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea seeking his removal. But as of now we have not received any indication from Raj Bhawan that he is ready to put in his papers. However, we will see how he moves in the few days because a notice is also served to him,” the official added.
Rumour mills were churning through Thursday evening at Raisina Hills following a meeting between President Pranab Mukherjee and Rajnath Singh that the governor’s fate is sealed. However, a source confirmed that it was a pre-scheduled meeting on other issues.
Ram Naresh Yadav was appointed as Madhya Pradesh governor on August 26, 2011 and if not removed will continue in the Raj Bhawan till August 2016. As per the provisions of Article 361 (2) and Article (3) of the Constitution, a governor enjoys immunity while in office and can be tried only after he or she loses the immunity after demitting the office. It was alleged that he recommended recruitment of five candidates for the post of forest guards.
The great Survivor
Yadav, 87, had completed only three years in office when NDA came to power in May 2014 but despite Modi government’s move seeking resignations from UPA-appointed governors, Yadav managed to survive.
Also Read: 'Vyapam Probe was Trial by Fire for Me'