Lokayukta reopens probe against Tripathi

Under the UP Lokayukta Act,1977,a complaint can be registered by the Lokauykta and investigation initiated only when it is accompanied by an affidavit and filed on the prescribed format and a fee of Rs 1,000 is also deposited.

In August,SP legislator Vijay Mishra and his wife Ramlali,former chairman of the Sant Ravidas Nagar district panchayat,had sent a complaint to the Lokayukta,accusing Tripathi of amassing huge wealth after he became a minister in 2007. The complaint was accompanied by documentary evidence,alleging that the minister had amassed assets worth over Rs 250 crore in the names of his wife,brother and other relatives. He had allegedly bought plots and residential buildings in Civil Lines area of Allahabad and land for setting up a degree college in Mirzapur and an engineering college in Allahabad.

Mishra and his wife,wanted in criminal cases,are on the run. In response to the Lokay-ukta notice,the minister had replied on December 2 that the complaint was not maintainable because it was not accompanied by an affidavit.

The Lokayukta has received the complaint on affidavit against Secondary Education Minister Rangnath Mishra,relating to the misuse of the Vidhayak Nidhi (MLA Fund),amassing of disproportionate assets,bribes in appointments of teachers and Class IV employees in government-run and aided high schools and intermediate colleges. “The complaint was filed by Swami Nath Mishra of Sant Ravidas Nagar district,” said Mehrotra. “The probe could not be initiated for lack of affidavit. I will register the case after examining the affidavit.”

The Lokayukta is already conducting probe against Rangnath Mishra in two complaints filed by a district inspectors of schools Adarsh Mishra and Bhagat Baba Tej Giri of Hardoi. The complaints were filed along with affidavit and notices were issued to the minister. The minister had denied the charges.