Another member of Mayawati ministry in Lokayukta net

Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta has launched an inquiry against yet another minister in the Mayawati government for alleged misuse of office, just days after the ombudsman recommended sacking of the fifth member of her ministry.

"After preliminary inquiry, a case has been registered against Minister of State for Sports Ayodhya Prasad Pal and he has been asked to submit his reply within 15 days," Lokayukta Justice N K Mehrotra said.

Chief Minister Mayawati has been informed about the inquiry against Pal. Mayawati has already sacked four tainted ministers -- Rajesh Tripathi, Awadhpal Singh, Badshah Singh and Rangnath Mishra -- on the recommendation of the Lokayukta, in an apparent clean-up exercise ahead of the assembly polls due next year.

The Lokayukta, in his report sent to the chief minister on November 28, recommended removal of Minister of State for Ambedkar Gram Vikas department Ratan Lal Ahirwar after indicting him on charges of misusing his local area development fund and encroaching on village land.

The complaint against Pal has been lodged by Dhirendra Pratap Singh, who has accused him of having assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, occupying and illegal construction on government land, misuse of local area development fund and getting land of trust and temple registered in his name.

Singh alleged that after being elected as MLA, Ayodhya Pal and his family members amassed property worth several crores of rupees. He alleged that in 2000, Pal got land of a trust in Rara village in Fatehpur district registered in the name of his wife and son in violation of rules.