Tripathi is not a minister now but retains car, perks

Officials have a ready explanation for the website listing: the site has not been updated. But they are silent when you ask them why Tripathi continues to retain the official car and enjoy all ministerial perks. The buzz is that the estate department has been told not to withdraw the controversial minister’s car.

Even his staff has not been recalled though he ceased to be a minister 11 days ago. Meanwhile, the CB-CID, investigating the Madhumita murder case, has been concentrating on powerful criminal elements in western UP, even planning to arrest the priest who claimed he solemnised the wedding of Madhumita and IIT student Anuj Kumar Mishra. The agency has also asked the Hyderabad laboratory, conducting a DNA test on the foetus removed from Madhumita’s body, for an early report. Although the CB-CID has not made any significant headway, it has shown great haste in meeting the month’s deadline set by Mayawati for completion of investigations.

Sources say probe officials are under pressure to prepare an interim report before the CM returns from her foreign tour on June 11. Coupled with the fact that Mayawati had made it clear that Tripathi would be taken back into the ministry if the probe gave him a clean chit, there’s already talk that officials will play safe and not risk revoking the facilities being retained by the sacked minister.