UP Lokayukta orders CBI probe against Naseemuddin Siddiqui

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In an embarrassment for the Mayawati government, Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta on Wednesday recommended a CBI probe against one of its most powerful ministers Naseemuddin Siddiqui and his wife Husna, an MLC.

"An inquiry by Directorate of Enforcement, a wing of CBI, has been recommended against the minister Siddiqui and his wife MLC Husna Siddiqui for having assets disproportionate to their known sources of income," Lokayukta Justice N. K. Mehrotra said.

He said that inquiry into assets of Siddiquis has revealed a clear cut case of money laundering which could only be probed by a crime investigating agency.

The complaints against Siddiquis was lodged by Jagdish Narain Shukla, who had accused the minister and his wife of owning benami properties.

"There was a complaint that Husna Siddiqui has formed an Educational Society from illegal sources of income, land was purchased by using blackmoney by under-valuation and irregularities in Bundelkhand Area Development Fund," the Lokayukta said.