Amar Singh146;s plot: HC directs state to submit papers

The Mayawati Government had issued a Government Order on April 21 this year, asking the Principal Secretary of Urban Development, SR Lakha, to probe into the matter, which was challenged by Singh in a writ petition filed last week.

The petitioner8217;s lawyer and former advocate general Virendra Bhatia had challenged Lakha8217;s capacity to probe the matter as he was facing various inquiries over different matters. The advocate also argued that since a related case was pending before the Supreme Court, it was not justified to initiate the proceedings in the High Court.

Representing the Government, UP Advocate General Jyotindra Mishra and Chief Standing Council D K Upadhyay apprised the Bench that Lakha had completed his inquiry and the report was submitted before the Government much before the petition was filed. Accordingly, the petition should be dismissed, argued Mishra.

The Government advocate also said no such case of plot allotment to the SP leader was pending before the Supreme Court and the state Government was competent to order a probe by any officer of its choice.