UP Lokayukta for CBI or ED probe against ex-minister

Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta Justice N K Mehrotra on Tuesday recommended an inquiry by an independent agency, including Central Bureau of Investigation or Enforcement Directorate, against former sports minister Ayodhya Prasad Pal in a disproportionate assets case.

"I have send a report to the chief minister recommending an inquiry either by CBI, enforcement directorate or vigilance department against the minister for amassing wealth in excess of his known sources of income," Justice Mehrotra said.

He said he has recommended that a criminal case be lodged against the minister and he should be prosecuted.

Pal was the sports minister during previous Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party government.

"During the inquiry conducted by my office on the complaint lodged by Dhirendra Pratap, it has been revealed that Pal acquired disproportionate assets to the tune of around Rs 24 crore in the name of his wife, sons and other relative between 2007 and 2011 when he was the minister," he said.

Mehrotra said the budgetary allocation of sports department was Rs 169 crore, many audit objections were raised and there was sufficient ground to conclude that the money amassed by Pal was by way of siphoning the funds.

"He should be prosecuted under Prevention of Corruption Act, Money Laundering Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and Forest Act," he said.

The inquiry by the Lokayukta revealed that the minister had illegally acquired eight hectare land in Mohanlalganj.

"I have recommended that land should be taken back and action should be taken against forest and revenue departments officials who maintained silence while the land was being acquired illegally," he said.