BHOPAL: Centre gave its nod to set up CBI’s ‘special Vyapam scam zone’ in Bhopal on Tuesday, besides sanctioning requisite staff for investigations into the mammoth scam.

In its first status report before Supreme Court, CBI team investigating Vyapam scam proposed setting up a special zone and sought a manpower of 500. This is the first such scam, in which agency floated a proposal for setting up a special zone. “Colossal task of investigating 107 cases of corruption and nearly 50 cases of suspected deaths related to Vyapam scam with more than 2,000 accused cannot be done with existing manpower and infrastructure,” stated CBI status report before Supreme Court on September 10. The zone has been named “AC HQ-II Zone” of CBI and orders have been issued to provide supporting infrastructure such as building, furniture, vehicles and computers with necessary accessories and stationery.

CBI sought sanction of 496 posts, including 108 constables, 36 head constables, 18 assistant sub-inspectors, 36 inspectors, 63 inspectors, 18 DSPs, 9 ASPs, 9 SPs and three DIGs.

The special zone would entail a recurring expenditure of Rs Rs 24.07 crore and non-recurring spent of Rs 55 crore.

On September 24, CBI launched multiple raids in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh after taking over probe. Forty premises were searched, including residences of scam accused in Bhopal, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Rewa in Madhya Pradesh and Lucknow, Allahabad in UP. However, nothing substantial was found.

Officers from central excise and customs, income tax and nationalized banks had to be included in raid team to meet staff crunch. Officials claimed to have seized incriminating documents from some premises, which had already been raided by Indore crime branch, special investigation team (STF) and special task force of Madhya Pradesh police in last three years, said sources.