New Delhi, Jul 9 (IANS): The Supreme Court on Thursday handed over to the CBI the investigation into the criminal cases related to the Vyapam scam and over 40 deaths linked to it. The CBI will start its probe from Monday.

The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice H.L. Dattu handed over the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the court that he has instructions by the Madhya Pradesh government on handing over the probe to the CBI.

In its order, the court said: "The AG on instructions says that the state of Madhya Pradesh has no objection whatsoever for transferring investigation into criminal cases related to Vyapam scam to the CBI and also the cases related to the deaths of the persons...for fair and impartial investigation."

"We appreciate the stand fo the attorney general", the court said and added: "In view of the above, we transfer investigation of criminal cases relating to Vyapam scam and the deaths to the CBI from Monday."

Meanwhile, the court has issued notice on a plea challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court order quashing the FIR against state Governor Ram Naresh Yadav for his alleged involvement in forest guard recruitment scam on the grounds that he enjoyed immunity of the constitutional office he was occupying.