PIL on Mulayam disproportionate assets in SC on Monday

New Delhi, Apr 22 (UNI) The Supreme Court will hear on Monday a PIL seeking prosecution of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and his family members including his son Akhilesh Singh Yadav, MP for amassing assets disproportionate to known sources of income.

The PIL filed by one Vishawnath Chaturvedi has alleged that Mulayam Singh Yadav and his family members including Akhilesh Singh Yadav and Pritik Yadav have acquired assets worth several hundred crores through corrupt means by abusing their official position as public servants and hence are liable to be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Mulayam Singh, however in his reply, has contended that the allegations made in the writ petition are frivolous, irresponsible and reckless solely aimed at tarnishing the image of his family members just to damage him politically. The UP CM has also contended that petitioner is an active member of the Indian National Congress and the petition is politically motivated.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo has also alleged that as per the petitioner's details the total value of assets is less than ten crores while the petition says that the SP leader has amassed assets worth several hundred crores. The allegations which are factually incorrect have been exaggerated to sensationalise the entire episode.

Yadav has also challenged the maintainability of the petition on the grounds that state of UP has not been made a party and the allegations are to be investigated by an officer not below the rank of DSP.

The counter on behalf of all the respondents also contends that no fundamental right of the petitioner has been violated and hence the petitioner has no locus to invoke Article 32 of the Constitution of India and the petition is therefore liable to be dismissed Counsel for the respondents P.H. Parekh said today that he has already supplied a copy of the counter to the petitioner's counsel and shall present the same in the court on April 24.

The case is listed for hearing before a bench headed by Mrs.

Justice Ruma Pal.

UNI AKS/SC RP VC1629