Vyapam scam: Whistleblower claims threat to life, seeks police security

GWALIOR: Fearing threat to life, Vyapam scam whistle-blower Ashish Chaturvedi approached police this week, demanding more security. He met a senior police officer after Chaturvedi's personal security officer (PSO) Ramji Chaubey filed a police complaint that he overheard a group of people saying Chaturvedi would be cut to pieces, if he testifies in court against MPPEB scam accused.

Talking to TOI, Chaturvedi recalled 14 incidents in which he was attacked or intimidated by unknown people.

On May 5, a special court in Gwalior directed the state government to provide lifetime security to Chaturvedi after taking into consideration mysterious deaths of people linked to scam. The whistle-blower claimed to have survived three attacks on his life, including an abduction bid.

The court issued orders to police for providing Chaturvedi security after he moved an application, claiming threat to life from chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and 30 others 'involved' in the scam. Chaturvedi had exposed some of those considered close to the chief minister.

A day after court order, his two security officers refused to guard him on grounds they cannot pillion ride on a cycle with AK-47 and Insas rifle. " It's a mockery of security," Chaturvedi said.

He had complained to Prime Minister Narendra Modi claiming Chouhan was trying to influence the probe. He told the court the state police changed 55 cops posted for his security in seven months and all of them did not cooperate with him and tried to scare him.

Chaturvedi was thrashed near Dal Bazar area in Gwalior even as his personal security officer looked on in recent past. In last two months, he was summoned by court on at least four occasions. He went, but refused to give statement because of threat to his life. Charutvedi claimed that his PSOs tell him to phone him up when he feels danger to his life.

In past times, taking note of his request for more security, the judge ordered government to conduct threat assessment and provide him lifetime security.

Chaturvedi even refused to give statement, citing severe threat to his life and said he would not be comfortable unless adequate security was provided to him.

Last year, when Chaturvedi approached police for security, he was told either to cough up Rs 50,000 as protection money or stay confined to his home.