Lucknow/New Delhi, Jan 24 (IANS): Suspecting foul play behind the death of engineer Sunil Kumar Verma, allegedly linked to the rural healthcare scam in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress Monday demanded a CBI probe into the case, saying many mysterious disappearances had occurred in the state in cases of monetary scams.

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi told media persons in Lucknow: "The UP police are claiming to have recovered a suicide note from the residence of the deceased engineer, but considering the ramifications of the multi-crore NRHM (National Rural Health Mission) scam, it would be better if the case is handed over to CBI."

Joshi, who was accompanied by AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh, said: "After all, three officers have already been murdered in connection with the scam. So, how can one believe so easily that this engineer has committed suicide? How can you rule out murder?"

When a journalist asked Digvijay Singh about the multi-crore scams under the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government, he shot back: "As far as we are concerned, we believe in taking prompt action against all and sundry - be it a Congressman or a member of our allies."

In Delhi, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said it was extremely strange that in the five years of Bahujan Samaj Party's rule, there had been so many mysterious disappearances and deaths whenever a monetary scam has come to light.

"I think this is something sinister. This is something much more than a coincidence," he said and added that there was little possibility of action unless the ruling party in the state is removed in the assembly polls.

Asked about remarks of Chief Minister Mayawati pointing fingers at the central government, Singhvi asked why more than half of the cabinet had been removed by her.

"Did the central government or Sonia Gandhi tell the chief minister of UP to remove the cabinet... secondly it is highly misleading and dishonest to suggest that such schemes are administered by the central government," he said.

"She (Mayawati) is caught in a corner. Scam after scam is tumbling out. The moneys are gigantic and she has no explanation to offer except flimsy and ridiculous excuses which are being trotted out," Singhvi said.