The state vigilance department on Monday started a probe against former minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui. The Allahabad sector of the vigilance wing will probe the disproportionate assets and money laundering cases against Siddiqui. Lokayukta justice (retd) NK Mehrotra had recommended a CBI probe against Siddiqui, a powerful minister in the previous Mayawati government, but the state government, on September 20, ordered the vigilance inquiry.

An officer said vigilance director general OP Dixit has directed the Lucknow and Ghaziabad sector to assist the Allahabad sector in the inquiry. The lokayukta had found illegal possession of Nazul land in Banda, Kanpur and Barabanki by Siddiqui and his family members.

The lokayukta had directed the officers of these districts to take action to remove the alleged illegal possession. Similarly, instructions were issued to the authorities to expedite the land dispute cases pending in the court so that further action could be taken against the former minister.

One Ashish Sagar Dixit of Banda had approached the lokayukta against Siddiqui. Later, Jagdish Narain Shukla had also moved petition before the lokayukta in November 2011.