In an unexpected turn of events, the Mayawati government has refused to initiate action against senior minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui on the grounds that the allegations against him are not related to his working as a minister and hence do not come within the purview of the Lokayukta.
In a statement issued here on Monday, the state government said that the allegations against the minister were not related to his official role and the Lokayukta was empowered to probe irregularities committed by public servants only in their official capacity which was not so in this case.
The state government has further requested the Lokayukta to inform the complainant that he is free to send his complaint to the concerned authority.