Lokayukta for vigilance inquiry against Thakur

MORE TROUBLE? Mehrotra also advised the govt to recommend probe by the CBI or the Enforcement Directorate

Suspended IPS officer Amitabh Thakur faces further trouble as lokayukata justice (retired) NK Mehrotra has sent his recommendation to chief minister Akhilesh Yadav for a vigilance inquiry against the officer.

Mehrotra also advised the government to recommend a probe by the CBI or the Enforcement Directorate so that no one could raise a finger on fairness of the vigilance probe.

The lokayukta has also sent all the evidence which came before him to the chief minister.

The lokayukta suggested initiating proceedings against Thakur under relevant sections of the IPC, the Prevention of Corruption Act, Money Laundering Act and UP Cooperative Society Act. If charges were established, than the officer should be prosecuted in the matter, he added.

When contacted, Mehrotra confirmed dispatching the letter to the government for necessary action in the matter but refused to divulge details.

Interestingly, Amitabh Thakur on Wednesday too wrote a letter to the chief minister, asking him either to ensure a fair probe by the vigilance establishment or get a case registered and arrest him (Thakur).

Sources confirmed that after being challenged by Amitabh Thakur on various legal provisions, the lokaykata reportedly sent all the evidence, copies of allegations and statements by government officials to the state government.

He sent a letter to the chief minister mentioning that since the evidence was found to be enough to raise suspicion of largescale corruption and irregularities by Amitabh Thakur and his family members, it was better that the probe should be handed over to some other independent agency, preferably the Vigilance Establishment which has been already asked to inquire into charges against Thakur on January 7, 2012. The government also ordered an open enquiry in the matter on July 9 last.

Sources said besides the evidence provided by social activist Sanjay Sharma against Thakur, the lokayukata also attached the complaint of one Rajeev Bajpayee who provided papers regarding purchase of over 25000 square metre land in the name of parents and wife of Amitabh Thakur in Khargapur, Lucknow.

In his report, lokayukta reportedly asked for a probe into how after being a government officer, Amitabh associated himself with several NGOs like National RTI Forum, Peoples Forum, PK & OMG Trust, Institute of Research and Documentation and RTI Fund. He recommended to verify bank accounts of both Amitabh and his wife to confirm whether they made any financial gain out of it.

Similarly, Mehrotra also said it must be looked into whether the Thakur couple were in the business of filing PILs just to earn money.