The CBI, probing the mysterious deaths linked to the multi-crore Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh, has decided to seek expert opinion from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to determine if there was any foul play in Aaj Tak journalist Akshay Singh’ sudden death in the state in July. The agency has also collected his medical reports from his family to ascertain whether he had any medical history which might have led to his death.
Sources said, “The agency will soon send a detailed investigation report, along with all relevant documents, to AIIMS for the expert opinion. Besides, the agency sleuths are also examining documents pertaining to the inquest proceedings carried out by the state police in the case.” Akshay died under mysterious circumstances while covering the Vyapam scam involving Jhabua-based MBBS student Namrata Damor, who was found dead after her name figured in the scam. The CBI on Wednesday registered six fresh FIRs related to alleged irregularities in the conduct of examinations by Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board, also known as Vyapam.
Sources further said the medical reports of Singh have also been collected and sent to a medical board to ascertain if it was any medical pre-condition which might have led to his sudden death. They said the office staff of the channel may also be quizzed in connection with the case to know the leads that Singh might have been following. They, however, clarified that they will wait for the opinion of medical experts before taking any other line of probe.
Singh, who was probing the story of Damor, whose body was found on a rail track in Ujjain triggering speculation of foul play in her death as she was allegedly a beneficiary of irregularities, collapsed at her house after interviewing her parents.
He was among over 35 people linked directly or indirectly with the scam who were found dead in mysterious circumstances over a period of time. Sources said that the agency is probing all the angles related to the mysterious death and in Singh’s case a preliminary enquiry has already been initiated by it. Damor’s father Mehtab Singh Damor had said Akshay and two others visited their house in Jhabua district in MP on July 4 afternoon. After the interview was over, someone was sent to get some papers photocopied. As Akshay was waiting outside Damor’s house, suddenly he started frothing at the mouth. He was rushed to the civil hospital and later to a private hospital, but doctors failed to revive him. From there he was taken to another hospital in nearby Dahod in Gujarat, where he was declared brought dead.
