Mulayam?s I-T details sought
In a significant development relating to allegations of amassing wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income, the Supreme Court today directed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, his son Akhilesh and other members of the family to explain the source of income and investments of the last five years.
In a significant development relating to allegations of amassing wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income, the Supreme Court today directed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, his son Akhilesh and other members of the family to explain the source of income and investments of the last five years.
Asking them to place before it the returns of the income tax and wealth tax filed by them between 2001 to 2006, a vacation Bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice C K Thakker posted hearing to July 17 on the PIL filed by Vishwanath Chaturvedi, a UP resident, alleging that Yadav and his family members, including his other son Pratik and Akhilesh’s wife Dimple, had acquired wealth in crores by “illegal means” and by misusing the official position.
While passing the order to this effect, the Bench also kept open the issue to examine the bonafide of the petitioner as senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for the Chief Minister questioned the credentials of Chaturvedi for approaching the court with the PIL.
Rohatgi alleged that the PIL was motivated by political vendetta as the petitioner himself has said in his affidavit that he was “adopted” by the Congress in the last State assembly polls to contest against BJP chief Rajnath Singh.
“Congress does not adopt just anybody just like that,” he quipped.
Senior advocate P N Lekhi, appearing for Chaturvedi said there was no political motive in filing the PIL as Congress has been a coalition partner of Mulayam Government in the state and Samajwadi Party was supporting the UPA government at the Centre.
During the hearing, it was pointed out that Income Tax Department has issued notice to Yadav and Akhilesh to give details about their moveable and immovable properties acquired by them and their family members during the financial year 2002-03 to 2005-06.
Yadav has refuted allegations levelled by Chaturvedi charging him of acting at the behest of the Congress Party.
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