UP Lokayukta registers case against minister

Sources said the decision was taken after it was found that the allegations required a full-fledged inquiry by the anti-corruption watchdog. A reply submitted by the minister could not rebut the charges levelled against him, the sources added.

Prajapati is accused of amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. First complaint against him was filed by Om Shankar Dwivedi, a resident of Pratapgarh district, who alleged that minister bought several immovable properties in Lucknow, Amethi and Sultanpur in the name of his wife, two sons and a friend after becoming the minister.

Dwivedi, who disassociated himself from his complaint weeks after its submission, had alleged that Prajapati and his relatives bought immovable properties for Rs 340.49 crore, and their current market value is over Rs 1,000 crore.

Two other complaints were lodged by social activist Nutan Thakur and Yashwant Singh, a resident of Sonbhadra, accusing the minister of “sheltering” the illegal mining in the state. Thakur linked the minister’s disproportionate assets to illegal mining in the state.

With the registration of a formal case, the inquiry against Prajapati is set to expedite. Sources in Lokayukta office said once the case is registered in a complaint, the anti-corruption watchdog can utilise the powers to issue summons and all concerned government agencies are bound to assist him in the probe.

Lokayukta has already sought details from the mining department and the details of the income returns of Prajapati and his family members are likely to be sought from the Income Tax department.

Prajapati could not be reached for his comment. However, in a statement issued in December, he had denied all allegations and called them part of a political conspiracy intended at maligning his image.

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