Lokayukta notices to Prajapati family return unreplyed: Gayatri Prasad Prajapati

LUCKNOW: Notices served by the Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta to the family members of the state mining minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati while probing a complaint of alleged disproportionate assets acquired by him, have returned unreplyed.

"The notices served on the official as well as personal residence of the family members of the minister have returned unreplyed," a senior official here said.

Lokayukta NK Mehrotra had served notices to two other state mining department officials.

"Notices were served yesterday to Principal Secretary (Mining) and Director (Geology and Mining), who have been asked to appear before Lokayukta on January 9 and 12 respectively", the official had said.

He also said that Lokayukta also gave notices to Prajapati's wife Maharaji and sons Anil and Anurag asking them to file their reply by January 8 in connection with alleged acquisition of various immovable properties by them.

A complaint was filed with Mehrotra by Om Shankar Dwivedi on December 11 against the minister alleging he has amassed wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The Lokayukta had said he would probe the matter on the basis of "whatever" documents he has before him.

It was also alleged in the complaint that Prajapati's relatives including his wife, sons and daughter Ankita have bought immovable properties at the cost of Rs 340.49 crore and their current market value is over Rs 1,000 crore.

Prajapati has denied allegations against him and has offered to quit politics, if charges against him were found true.