axe to fall on politicians, bureaucrats in UP through SIT

Lucknow, June 18 (UNI) With S Balaji becoming the chief of newly constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Uttar Pradesh government, the axe may fall on several high profile politicians and bureaucrats who ruled the roost during the previous regime.

With the set up of the SIT by Chief Minister Mayawati, now all the cases related to financial corruption during the previous Samajwadi Party government will be probed by the new agency set up in the pattern of CBI.

The SIT is all set to probe different cases involving suspended PWD principal secretary S K Agarwal and suspended LDA VC B B Singh. Other probes to be ordered could be in the Jal Nigam involving former Urban development minister Mohammad Azam Khan, UP Development Council and UPSIDC which is related with Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh.

Criminal background politicians like Lok Sabha member Atiq Ahmed, independent MLAs Raghuraj Pratap Singh, alias Raja Bhaiyya and Mukhtar Ansari might also be dragged in other cases by the SIT.

Mr S Balaji, a 1977 batch IPS officer was appointed ADG SIT yesterday by the government.

According to sources, SIT is set to probe all the high profile financial and other irregularities during the previous regime and it may involve several senior politicians and officials.

Without naming any particular case or name, the sources said the cases related to Lohia Path, LDA, Elina city in Allahabad and some irregularities relating to Noida and Greater Noida land deal could find its place in the first list of probes to be undertaken by the new investigating agency.

The SIT has been formed as an independent investigating agency to handle serious economic offences against the high and mighty in the state. Matters recommended by a three-member committee formed under the principal secretary of home department would be proceeded to the team.

The agency can also take up case against any individual if it is approved by the committee.

The SIT, which will have its headquarters in Lucknow, will comprise of one Inspector General (IG) or Deputy Inspector General (DIG), two Superintendent of Police (SP), four Deputy SP, ten Police Insectors, six Sub-Inspectors and 30 constables.The SIT offices will be notified as police stations and would cover the whole UP.

According to sources, twelve ministerial employees would be appointed to handle the extra work. Besides, one Senior prosecution officer, one prosecution officer and one additional prosecution officer would be appointed to give legal advice to SIT.

Apart from these, special courts are to be constituted for the trial of the SIT cases. The matters relating to financial loss or revenue by public servants working in different departments, organisations, institutions and authorities of the state government would be referred to the SIT.

To make SIT work more efficient, experts from private sectors, including Charted Accountants, Company Secretary, Financial Analysts, Valuers and Computer experts would also be appointed after the approval from the home department.

UNI