CBI likely to question Maya in health scam probe

The CBI is likely to examine Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati in connection with the Rs 10,000-crore National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam.

Investigators believe Mayawati’s examination would help them in filling the gaps in the probe into the scam, which occurred during 2007-12, when her party was in power.

She will be summoned for questioning soon in connection with the case, CBI sources said.

Huge sum has been siphoned off by politicians, bureaucrats and doctors from the funds meant for the NRHM, which is meant to provide healthcare facilities to people in rural areas. 

 There were irregularities in the supply of medicines and medical equipment. As many as five persons had died or were allegedly murdered in an attempt to cover up the large-scale irregularities in the case.

Babu Singh Kushwaha, a former UP cabinet minister during the Bahujan Samaj Party rule, was arrested on March 3, 2012 and is still in jail.

Kushwaha, who was once considered a close confidant of Mayawati and later joined BJP, had moved the apex court seeking bail, which was dismissed on February 13.