New Delhi, July 9 (IANS): The Congress on Thursday demanded the resignation of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, citing that the Supreme Court has handed over the Vyapam scam probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"The message from the Supreme Court is clear. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan must step down for a proper investigation," Congress leader Tom Vadakkan told the media here.

The apex court has handed over to the CBI the investigation into the criminal cases related to the Vyapam scam and over 40 deaths linked to it. The court directed the CBI to start its probe from Monday.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said: "After this directive, the country has greater confidence in the judiciary."

"The court has also said that after CBI hearing, they will take a decision whether the case needs to be monitored by the Supreme Court. I thank the god also for giving good sense to Chouhan. This should have come two years back," he added.

Pointing out that Home Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier ruled out a CBI probe, the senior Congress leader said: "There cannot be a better example of the u-turn by the home minister and the chief minister."

He said all those lodged in jail in connection with the scam should be made prosecution witnesses so that they can tell the names of the corrupt officials.