Whistleblower to seek security from ex-bandit

Bhopal: Vyapam whistleblower Ashish Chaturvedy is mulling to hand over charge of his security to former Chambal bandit king Malkhan Singh to “escape” the ordeals of being put under “round-the-clock” camera surveillance by police.

Mr Chaturvedy who has reportedly received 14 death threats for exposing influential people involved in fixing of admission tests for medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh to benefit undeserving candidates in lieu of money, was in “touch” with former dreaded Chambal dacoit Malkhan Singh to take over charge of his security.

“He (Mr Chaturvedy) met the surrendered rebel recently to work out a plan to deploy him for his security”, sources close to 26-year-old whistle blower told this newspaper on Sunday.

Seventy-year-old Malkhan Singh, the redoubtable “emperor of robbers” of Chambal ravines of 1970s, expressed his readiness to ensure security to Mr Chaturvedy provided he was given necessary logistic supports by the MP government.

“I should be provided with weapons as well as financial help by the MP government to take over his security. I can also rope in other surrendered Chambal rebels for the job”, he told the media.

The gun slinging former Chambal dacoit had piled up a total of 94 police cases, including 18 cases of robbery, 28 of kidnapping, 19 of attempt to murder and 17 cases of murder by the time he laid down arms before former MP chief minister Arjun Singh in 1983.

Police however justified the move to put Mr Chaturvedy under cam surveillance saying that he used to allege misbehavior by police men deployed in his security, leading to replacement of no less 200 security guards in recent times.

“The camera surveillance will lay bare the truth in the allegation”, police said.

Mr Chaturvedy however opposed the camera surveillance by police saying the move amounted to infringement of his rights to privacy and freedom.