Bail application of Amar Mani Tripathi rejected

New Delhi, Dec 11 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dismissed the bail application of former Uttar Pradesh minister Amar Mani Tripathi, the main accused in the Madhumita Shukla murder case.

Tripathi and his wife along with other accused are in jail for their alleged involvement in the murder of the poetess.

A bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhan and Dalveer Bhandari dismissed the application saying that the petitioner cannot be released on bail in view of the fact that several prosecution witnesses are yet to be examined.

Madhumita was murdered allegedly after she started forcing Tripathi to marry her on becoming pregnant.

A transfer petition filed by the younger sister of the deceased, Nidhi Shukla, seeking transfer of the case outside Uttar Pradesh, is already pending in the apex court.

Nidhi, in her petition, has alleged that in view of the criminal background of Tripathi and his political clout, a ''free and fair'' trail is not possible in the state.

The case has been investigated by the CBI.

UNI AKS/SC SI RS1305