bhopal

Updated: Jan 08, 2016 17:19 IST

A whistleblower in Vyapam scam Ashish Chaturvedi has alleged that he now faces threat to his life from some office-bearers of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and also the police.

This is for the first time when Chaturvedi has mentioned the name of RSS without naming from whom, he alleged, he was facing threat.

While recording his statement with the Gwalior police he submitted a list of people, who he suspects may harm him. He mentioned RSS office-bearers and police from whom, he alleged, he faced threat to his life.

Chaturvedi had in the past too alleged that he was facing threat from several people including politicians. So far, he has often expressed his dissatisfaction over the level of security provided to him. The police have gone on record saying that they had changed as many as 101 guards in a bid to satisfy the whistleblower as far as his demand for adequate security was concerned.

Chaturvedi has been avoiding recording of his statement in the court in connection with Vyapam scam cases in which he is either a complainant or the witness, on the ground that he didn’t have adequate security. He said he would record his statement only when he was provided adequate security.

Talking to the HT, Chaturvedi, who claims to be a RSS member, said, “I don’t have any problem with RSS as an organisation but some people are threatening me regularly. RSS’s allied institution India Policy Foundation director Rakesh Sinha honoured me with a memento of Swami Vivekanand and Rs 1,100 on July 11, 2015 for exposing the multi-layered Vyapam scam. But when I revealed the names of BJP leaders, they have started treating me like an accused.”

“Even, police inquired into the matter of relationship between me and RSS so I can’t trust police too,” he added.

When contacted Rakesh Singh denied that he or any RSS office-bearer ever felicitated or threatened Chaturvedi.

Sinha said, “Chaturvedi has nothing to do with us. He is trying to exploit RSS relationship. I have nothing to say about what he is doing. We have not honoured him. I met Chaturvedi in a TV programme where he told me that he was an RSS member. I appreciated him and he attended a seminar organised by India Policy Foundation. Like other guests, Chaturvedi too was given a bouquet at the programme and that photo went viral (on social media).”

“Chaturvedi is unnecessarily making an agenda out of it,” he added.

Superintendent of police Gwalior HR Mishra said, “Chaturvedi has given us a list but he has no threat from anybody. He is absolutely safe and secure and we are providing high-level security to him.”