Indicted by UP Lokayukta, minister Ratan Lal Ahriwar resigns

After being indicted by Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta, minister of state Ratan Lal Ahirwar today resigned, becoming the fifth tainted minister to have put in his papers.

After being indicted by Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta, minister of state Ratan Lal Ahirwar on Thursday resigned, becoming the fifth tainted minister to have put in his papers.

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"Minister of state for Ambedkar Village Development Department Ahriwar submitted his resignation this morning and it has been accepted by Governor B L Joshi," an official said here.

Panchayati raj minister Swami Prasad Maurya has been given charge of the department, he said.

Ahirwar is the fifth minister to be removed from the post after Rajesh Tripathi, Awadhpal Singh, Rangnath Mishra and Badshah Singh, who too faced corruption charges.

Ahirwar was reportedly summoned by chief minister Mayawati yesterday triggering speculation regarding his resignation.

Lokayukta Justice N K Mehrotra in his report sent to the Chief Minister on Monday recommended removal of Ahirwar, indicting him on charges of misusing his local area development fund and encroaching on village land.

Justice Mehrotra said Ahriwar should be removed from the post as the case cannot be finalised if he continues to be the minister.

The Lokayukta also sought recovery of funds allocated to a school run by his trust.