Maya sacks minister for murder

UP minister accused of killing a policeman on Saturday, magisterial inquiry declared

LUCKNOW: In a major embarrassment to the Mayawati government, a minister was sacked on Sunday after being charged with rioting and murder of a police constable.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident, and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs10 lakh to the bereaved family.

This is the third time since Mayawati took oath last May that a minister had to resign after facing criminal charges.

Minister of state for fisheries Jamuna Prasad Nishad had gheraoed the Kotwali police station in Maharajganj, east UP on Saturday night with a 50-strong mob , many of whom were armed. The minister was enraged over the alleged complicity of the police in shielding a rape accused.

The minister’s supporters indulged in rioting and ransacked the police station, damaging furniture and office property. Some of them even tried to loot arms and ammunition from the ‘maalkhana’. In the melee, someone opened fire and a constable Krishnand Rai was killed on the spot. It’s still not known who fired the fatal shot. A case of rioting and murder has been registered against the minister and his unnamed 50 associates.

The minister told reporters that though he had gone to the police station, he was not present when the firing took place. However, taking a stern view of the incident, Mayawati said: “Since the minister was present on the spot, I have asked him to resign. He will not be re-inducted (into the ministry) till the time the inquiry is completed.”
Mayawati announced that besides the Rs14 lakh PF and gratuity dues, the deceased constable’s family would get Rs10 lakh compensation. In addition, fixed deposits of Rs5 lakh each would be made in the name of his two daughters. She also offered a government job for one of the family members.

However, this is not the first time that the Mayawati government’s reputation has been sullied by ministers facing criminal charges. In September last year, minister for water resources and land development Raghunath Prasad Shankhwar had to resign after his name figured in a drugs purchase scam during his tenure as chief medical officer of Barabanki district. The Economic Offences Wing is still investigating the matter.

Soon afterwards, in November, minister of state for food processing Anand Sen Yadav resigned after allegations that he was involved in kidnapping and murder of a Dalit girl Shashi of Faizabad, with whom he was allegedly having an extra-marital affair. Yadav could be sworn in only after his release on bail.

g_deepak@dnaindia.net