UP Lokayukta wants CBI, ED probe against Mayawati aide

Uttar Pradesh lokayukta Justice (retd) NK Mehrotra today wrote to chief minister Mayawati recommending investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into complaints against PWD minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui and his legislator wife Husna Siddiqui over charges of grabbing government land, amassing wealth and misusing public office in granting mining contracts.

Justice Mehrotra said he had conducted an inquiry based on complaints that the accused Siddiqui and his wife grabbed government land, amassed disproportionate assets against their known source of income and indulged in large scale corruption.

The move, coming in the middle of elections to the state assembly, has caused a big embarrassment for Mayawati. The issue may also impact the polls in Bundelkhand region where voting will be held on Thursday.

Siddiqui is said to be second-in-command in the BSP and the Muslim face of the party. As a minister, he holds over 20 portfolios, including "lucrative" ones like public works department, health and family welfare, housing, irrigation, agriculture and mining among others.

While the Lokayukta found Siddiqui prima facie guilty, his office does not have the required facilities for conducting a detailed inquiry. He wants the chief minister to hand over the case to the CBI and the ED.

The complaint was lodged by one JP Shukla who accused the Siddiquis of grabbing government land, amassing wealth and misusing public office in granting mining contracts.