SC seeks tax returns of Mulayam, son

In a significant development relating to allegations of amassing wealth disproportionate to known sources of income, the Supreme Court today directed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, his son Akhilesh and other members of the family to explain the sources of income and investments of the last five years.

Asking them to place before it the returns of the income tax and wealth tax filed by them between 2001 and 2006, a vacation Bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice C K Thakker posted hearing to July 17 on the PIL filed by Vishwanath Chaturvedi, a UP resident, alleging that Yadav and his family members including his other son Pratik and Akhilesh's wife Dimple had acquired wealth in crores by "illegal means" and by misusing the official position.

While passing the order to this effect, the Bench also kept open the issue to examine the bonafide of the petitioner, as senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for chief minister questioned the credentials of Chaturvedi for approaching the court with the PIL.