Haj Minister caught travelling ticketless

Lucknow, Sep 16: Uttar Pradesh Haj Minister Haji Yakub Qureshi along with his three supporters were allegedly caught travelling without tickets on board the VIP Lucknow-Delhi Lucknow Mail early today.

Railway and GRP sources said here the Minister was fined Rs 14,000 for the crime at Alamnagar railway station in the state capital.

However, the Minister told reporters over phone that he had a valid ticket and was being ''harassed'' as part of a ''political conspiracy''.

''I am writing to the Centre...I will later disclose names of the people harassing me,'' he said.

The GRP said the Lucknow Mail was stopped at Alamnagar, just before its terminating station (Charbagh) and Railway and GRP officials ''raided'' the AC I compartment.

They claimed that the Minister and his supporters were creating a ruckus on board the trian since the time the ticketing staff asked for tickets.

However, Mr Qureshi claimed that he and his peon, gunners and aides had tickets. But, the officials said the Minister had railway coupons and not tickets.

The Minister also denied that he was fined for the crime.

While the Minister said he was accompanied by three of his aides, the GRP claimed that he was travelling with at least six supporters.

The Minister had boarded the train at Hapur (UP) early today.

UNI