2001 Kidnapping Case: Basti police attach Amarmani’s property in Maharajganj

“We gathered information from various districts regarding Tripathi’s assets. It came to our attention that there is a house registered under Tripathi’s name in Nautanwa, Maharajganj. A police team was dispatched to seize the property, which has been successfully carried out,” Station House Officer (Kotwali) Vijay Kumar said, adding efforts are on to trace other properties owned by Tripathi across the state.
“I will submit my report to the court on April 15, the next date of hearing,” he added.

On August 24 last year, the Uttar Pradesh government ordered the premature release of Tripathi, a four-time former MLA, and his wife Madhumani, who were serving life imprisonment in the 2003 murder case of poet Madhumani Shukla in Lucknow. The government then said that Tripathi and his wife showed “good behaviour while serving the term”.

The kidnapping case in which the court has asked Tripathi to appear dates back to 2001. According to the prosecution, businessman Dharam Raj Gupta’s son Rahul Gupta was allegedly abducted from near his house in Basti. Police found Rahul purportedly locked up in a house that was said to be in Tripathi’s possession. Police booked nine persons, including the former minister.

“Of the nine accused, one has died and two others have been at large after jumping bail,” police said. The case file of the five accused has been separated from the rest. The court has framed charges against them and their trial has begun.

Despite multiple summons, Tripathi failed to appear in court, prompting the issuance of a non-bailable warrant against him last October.
Subsequently, in November, the court declared Tripathi a proclaimed offender and directed the attachment of his properties.

Amid suspicions that local authorities were avoiding action, the court intervened last month, instructing the state Principal Secretary (Home) and Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure attachment of Tripathi’s assets.

In March last year, the Allahabad High Court dismissed a petition filed by Tripathi seeking a stay on proceedings in the Basti court.