The SC directed the UP Chief Minister and other members of his family to furnish details about the source of his income and investments.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and other members of his family to furnish details about the source of his income and investments in the last five years. Mulayam Singh and his family members have been given time till July 17 to place before the Court all the relevant details.
The Court’s directive came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Vishwanath Chaturvedi, a resident of UP, in a disproportionate assets case. In his PIL, Chaturvedi has alleged that Mulayam Singh Yadav and his family have misused his official position to amass a huge amount of money and assets which were disproportionate with his known sources of income.
The UP Chief Minister and his family have denied the charge and have accused the petitioner of acting at the Congress party’s behest, a charge denied by the petitioner. The Samajwadi party however believes that the petition is part of a conspiracy hatched by its political rivals to get even with Yadav and the party. “They have been gunning for us for a very long time. They first framed Amar Singh in the CD case and now they are trying to get at the Chief Minister,” says party Lok Sabha MP Mohan Singh.
The SP leader’s troubles appear to be mounting. With state assembly elections scheduled for February 2007, the court’s directives are likely to be used by his political rivals against him. Mulayam Singh Yadav’s present reign as Chief Minister has been marked by controversies and his proximity to some business houses has given rise to all kinds of innuendoes.
Friend turned political foe cine star Raj Babbar has hailed the Courts directive. “In public life there has to be some accountability. This will put the fear of god in all those who occupy high offices,” he says.
The CM drives a Prada
Mulayam Singh Yadav’s fondness for fancy cars and fancier lifestyle had attracted attention in the past. First he took a liking to Toyota Land Cruisers and his cash-strapped state bought eight of the expensive vehicle. His lifestyle came into focus once again when it was revealed that Rs21.07 million (Rs two crore) was spent
during the last financial year on the maintenance of Mulayam’s two plush bungalows. Both bungalows feature high-end sanitary ware, opulent furnishings and other expensive fittings.
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