Minister to sue newspaper for 'corruption' charges

Guwahati, Feb 2 (UNI) Assam Forest Minister Rockybull Hussain today said that he was contemplating legal action against a local vernacular daily for levying false corruption charges against him.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Hussain said, ''The newspaper has been carrying reports of corruption charges against me and I will be taking them to the court soon.'' The newspaper had carried reports of the minister charging bribes of up to Rs 25 lakh for transfer within his department.

Refuting the charges, Mr Hussain said, ''After I had taken over in 2006, I had not initiated any transfer, except those mandatory under rules.'' He also slammed Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) chief and perfume baron Badruddin Ajmal of entering politics only for business gains and using the media to achieve personal business ends.

He said, ''The AUDF was floated for business gains and their true ploy won't remain hidden for long.'' The minister claimed that he had damaging evidence to prove Mr Ajmal's illegal trade in agar wood and he would make them public at the appropriate moment.

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