NRHM scam: CBI arrests 3 more; Kushwaha stays free

The Central Bureau of Investigation today arrested three more persons - two bureaucrats and a businessman - in connection with financial irregularities in the purchase of medicines and medical equipment from funds allocated to Uttar Pradesh under the centrally-run National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

Former UP State Industrial Development Corporation managing director Abhay Kumar Bajpai was arrested on Thursday night, while former director general of family welfare S P Ram and businessman Saurabh Jain were arrested this morning.

The agency has already arrested former Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam Board general manager P K Jain yesterday in this connection.

Saurabh Jain (no relation of P K Jain) owns chemist chain Guru Kripa Medicals. He was reportedly close to former UP minister Babu Singh Kushwaha, whose properties along with those of the others were raided on Wednesday, when the CBI had raided 60 in UP, Delhi and Haryana (See: Former Mayawati aide raided over NRHM scam). 

It seems surprising that Kushawaha himself has not yet been arrested, even as his alleged abettors are now behind bars. Reports say this is because he is cooperating with the investigating agency, or in other words preparing to squeal on his co-conspirators.

Kushwaha, a Bahujan Samaj Party veteran, backward class leader and chief minister Mayawati's close aide till November, was sacked by Mayawati for his alleged involvement in the NRHM scam that led to the murder of two chief medical officers.