BSP's Naseemuddin Siddiqui questioned by UP Police

Two days after his expulsion from the BSP, former Uttar Pradesh minister and senior state politician Naseemuddin Siddiqui was questioned by the police here on Friday.

Siddiqui, who had served the Bahujan Samaj Party for more than two decades, was quizzed here at the Hazratganj police station, a police official said.

The questioning was over a case filed by Swati Singh, wife of former Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dayashankar Singh, and now a minister in the state government.

Naseemuddin Siddiqui, the sacked BSP leader, is accused of using foul and derogatory language against Swati Singh and her daughter.

The incident dates back to July 2016 when incensed at a statement of Dayashankar Singh, Siddiqui had led a mob of party workers and leaders and had made some very offensive statements against Swati Singh and her young daughter.

On July 22, Swati Singh's mother-in-law filed a case against Siddiqui and other BSP leaders.

The police had served a notice on Siddiqui and asked him to appear before them on Friday.

Siddiqui reached the police station in the afternoon with his lawyers and left after some time, saying that he had to go to offer namaaz (prayers). He did not speak to the waiting media.

Once the most powerful leader in the Bahujan Samaj Party after Mayawati, Siddiqui was unceremoniously thrown out of the party on Wednesday by Mayawati. He later accused the BSP supremo of humiliating Muslims and seeking Rs 50 crore from him.

Mayawati on Thursday denied these charges and called her one-time protege and confidante a "black-mailer and an extortionist".

--IANS

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