New revelations in the Professional Examination Board (PEB) scam have created a state of constitutional crisis in Madhya Pradesh, Congress claimed on Friday.
State Congress chief spokesperson KK Mishra said that for the first time in the history of Indian Republic, an FIR was lodged against the governor by Special Task Force (STF) of the state police.
Yet, it was governor Ramnaresh Yadav, accused of fraud, criminal conspiracy and corruption by the state police, who signed the notification for convening the budget session of the state assembly and its premature sine dine adjournment, he added.
Mishra further said that the constitution provides for state council of ministers to advise the governor in discharge of his duties, but in MP, governor has filed a petition in the high court against his own government for quashing of the FIR registered against him. "Does this situation not indicate towards break down of constitutional system in the state?" he asked.
Mishra reiterated that the high court's latest observation on Special Investigation Team (SIT) has come as a blow to those pinning hopes on SIT to ensure them justice in the matter.
He said after the high court constituted SIT, investigation into the PEB scam had picked up and unlike the STF, SIT appeared to be sincerely working to bring out complete truth in the scam. But after the high court described SIT as "watchdog and a postman", it will be difficult for the team to pursue the truth. "If Special Investigation Team can't investigate into an issue it required, what is the propriety of having a SIT," Mishra asked.
{{/usCountry}}He said after the high court constituted SIT, investigation into the PEB scam had picked up and unlike the STF, SIT appeared to be sincerely working to bring out complete truth in the scam. But after the high court described SIT as "watchdog and a postman", it will be difficult for the team to pursue the truth. "If Special Investigation Team can't investigate into an issue it required, what is the propriety of having a SIT," Mishra asked.
{{/usCountry}}He further said that additional advocate general Pushpendra Kaurav, who appears in the PEB scam case on behalf of the state government, had described SIT as a link between STF and the high court, but following the high court's latest observation, there should be a fresh interpretation of its role in the entire matter.
Mishra emphasised that Congress and all "responsible" citizens of the country have doubt over ability, integrity and dexterity of STF, a force under the control of Shivraj Singh Chouhan, to dig out complete truth in the scam and in such a situation, how could they be expected to hand over evidences and documents to this agency itself for scrutiny and verification.