UP HC rejects plea for CBI probe into Maya's currency-garland

Dismisses PIL, says "petitioners failed to produce facts"

PTI | March 22, 2010



The Allahabad High Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking a CBI probe into alleged expenses of about Rs 200 crore, including currency note garland of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, during the recent BSP 'maharally' here.

The public interest litigation, filed by three local lawyers on March 18, was dismissed by the court's Lucknow Bench comprising acting Chief Justice Amitava Lala and Justice Anil Kumar "as the petitioners failed to produce facts as alleged," Chief Standing Counsel Devendra Upadhyaya said.

It was alleged in the PIL that approximately Rs 175 crore of public money was spent in the 'maharally' and another Rs 25 crore on the garland presented to Mayawati.

The BSP supremo came under sharp attack over the garland issue which created a storm inside and outside Parliament.

Mayawati was felicitated with a garland made of 1000-rupee notes at a massive rally on the occasion of BSP's foundation day on March 15.

The IT department is probing the source of money for the garland presented to the chief minister.

Unfazed by the opposition outcry, Mayawati got herself garlanded two days later at a BSP meet with currency notes said to be to the tune of Rs 18 lakh.

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