Polygraph tests conducted on Ex-UP min in Kavita Rani murder case

New Delhi, Feb 14 (UNI) Polygraph tests were today conducted on former Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Minister Merajuddin by the CBI at its headquarters here, in connection with the alleged murder of Meerut University lecturer Kavita Rani in which several politicians are also said to be involved.

Merajuddin, who belongs to the Rashtriya Lok Dal and had resigned after his name popped up in the scandal, was questioned for more than four hours yesterday on his alleged role in the case, according to a senior CBI official.

''He was called for questioning yesterday by the CBI sleuths and today polygraph tests were conducted on him.'' Other politicians, whose names have cropped up, would also be called to depose before the investigation team. Among those who will be called includes Meerut University Vice-Chancellor R P Singh, the official added.

''All efforts would be adopted to unravel the murder mystery.'' The disappearance of the 29-year-old temporary lecturer at the 'Chaudhary Charan Singh University - Meerut', Kavita Rani, who was murdered in October, came to light following the arrest of prime accused Ravindra Pradhan.

Pradhan, who was arrested from a television studio in Noida in December, had said it was a case of sleaze and blackmail, involving a former minister, and a fight over sharing of money.

He added that he, along with his accomplice, had strangulated Kavita following an altercation and disposed of the body in a canal in Sanauta in Bulandshahr.

On December 28 last, Harinder, another accused in the case, had surrendered before the police in Bulandshahr while pleading innocence over his involvement in the abduction and murder of the lecturer.

However, he said he knew prime suspect Ravindra Pradhan for the past seven years.

On December 27, Triloki Singh, 37-year-old associate of prime accused Ravindra Pradhan and headman of Dhanera Kirat village in was arrested in Delhi.

His name figured in several threat letters received by Kavita Rani.

UNI