Akhilesh at SC door with judicial probe plea into wealth case

NEW DELHI: Akhilesh Yadav, the SP MP and son of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, has moved the Supreme Court seeking a judicial probe instead of a CBI inquiry into the disproportionate assets case in view of the changed political situation in the state.

The MP from Kanauj says he and his family members have a strained relationship with the persons at the helm of affairs at the Centre, and if the order for a CBI inquiry is not replaced by a judicial probe it may result in a political vendetta.

In his application, Mr Akhilesh has said there was a change in the political scenario in the state, now headed by BSP chief Ms Mayawati. And since his father was not the chief minister anymore, “the basis on which this honourable court (apex court) thought it appropriate to direct the CBI to conduct a preliminary enquiry has disappeared, and it is submitted that direction needs to be modified,” he said in his application.

It had been argued that an inquiry into allegations of amassing huge wealth by the then chief minister and his family members should be undertaken by the CBI as the state machinery was then under their control. The apex court, on March 1, had directed the CBI to hold a preliminary inquiry against Mr Mulayam and his kin. Mr Akhilesh, daughter-in-law Dimple and another son Pratik on a PIL filed by advocate Vishwanath Chaturvedi, accusing them of amassing wealth by illegal means and by abusing their power.

“The review petitioner (Akhilesh) further states that the persons at the helm of affairs in the central government have strained relations with the review petitioner and his family members. It is submitted that the review petitioner apprehends that the CBI would not be impartial in its investigation,” the application stated. Mr Akhilesh, Mr Mulayam and their family members have filed petitions seeking a review of the apex court order of March 1.

The applicant has drawn attention to the fact that the CBI functions under the direct control of the Union of India. “In the interest of probity, the review petitioner would welcome a public enquiry conducted in a manner that allows him and his family members to explain their position. This would be achieved by directing a judicial probe led by a retired judge of the apex court,” added the application.