Mayawati can be prosecuted in graft case, CBI tells SC

In an apparent change of stand, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has told the Supreme Court (SC) that it had found cogent, credible and admissible evidence for prosecuting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati in a disproportionate assets case. The case related to her declared wealth going up from Rs 1 crore in 2003 to Rs 50 crore in 2007.

The agency’s submission in an affidavit came four months after it had shown willingness to consider Mayawati’s plea to accept the clean chit, which was given to her by the IT authorities. Mayawati’s counsel today made a plea for postponement of hearing, which was fixed for Monday, the move that was opposed by CBI. CBI’s stand in April had come when the Centre was trying to cobble up the numbers, including support of Mayawati’s party, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), to sail through the cut motion brought by the Bhartiya Janta Party and the Left. BSP had then voted for the Government.