The multi-crore National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam in UP claimed its sixth life on Thursday when Mahendra Sharma, a clerk with the state health department who had gone missing on February 7, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Lakhimpur district.
Sharma was found dead even before the CBI questioned him. The CBI is now likely to seek transfer of two death cases, which include Sharma, to the agency. The alleged irregularities in utilisation of about `10,000 crore of Central funds allocated under the NRHM in UP has so far claimed six lives. Those who have died are two chief medical officers (CMOs) — Dr V.K. Arya and Dr B.P. Singh, Dy CMO Y.S. Sachan, Sunil Verma (UP Jal Nigam project manager who handled NRHM projects) and Dr Shailesh Yadav (Dy CMO).
Sharma’s body was found lying in a pool of blood at his official flat at the Pasganwa Community Health Centre Wednesday evening. It is not yet clear if he committed suicide or was murdered. The body was decomposed and there was an injury mark on his forehead. The post-mortem, by a panel of three doctors, confirmed death by strangulation and also ante-mortem injuries.
“CBI has neither questioned nor summoned Sharma in connection with the case. He was neither a suspect nor a witness. The agency is in touch with the state police regarding safety concerns of potential witnesses and suspects,” a senior CBI official told reporters.
“The agency is now contemplating seeking transfer of two death cases — Sharma and Sunil Verma — to the CBI,” CBI sources said.