M A I N   N E W S

MADHUMITA MURDER CASE
CID to interrogate Tripathi

Lucknow, June 1
The Crime Branch of the CID (CB-CID) will soon interrogate sacked BSP minister Amarmani Tripathi in the Madhumita Shukla murder case.

According to sources, agency sleuths had collected ‘enough’ evidence on relationship between the slain poetess and the sacked minister.

The sources said during the interrogation of several persons, it was found that both the domestic helps of Madhumita were actually servants of Tripathi.

“We will interrogate the former minister very soon,” the sources said, adding it had been found that the deceased also held control of the properties belonging to the former minister.

Meanwhile, the CB-CID had urged the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) in Hyderabad for an early report on the foetus sample.

In a letter to the institute, the officials said the test report was vital for the progress of the probe. The sources maintained that the authorities in Hyderabad had earlier said it would take at least three months to get the report as there was a long queue of samples from all over the country.

“The CDFD can give priority to the test only if a specific court order on expediting the process of the DNA fingerprinting was sent,” the sources added.

Meanwhile, the agency was all set to seek more time for completing the probe as the DNA test would take time. Earlier, the CID had to submit its report to the state government till June 17.

During investigations, the CID came across two bank accounts of Madhumita in the state capital. In both the accounts, the balances reportedly ran into several lakhs of rupees.

The sleuths were also expected to interrogate two senior police officials, who were closely associated with the murdered poetess.

The CID team also got hold of some vital clues through which it was ascertained that Madhumita had mediated between a local influential person and Mr Tripathi over a land dispute. UNI

Our Correspondent adds: The probe has taken a curious turn with all leads pointing an accusing finger towards involvement of wife of Tripathi.

“Four teams of sleuths were sent to different parts of the state to collect information about the crime. They have returned with evidences showing clear involvement of wife of the former minister,” said a senior police official on condition of anonymity.

The teams were sent to Kanpur, Lakhimpur Khiri, the native place of the deceased poetess, Gorakhpur, and Noida.

The police official said the CID, which is carrying out probe, is concentrating on the motive of the crime and the gangs involved in the murder. “The police is trying to find out who had paid the ‘supari’ and how,” said the police officer.

The probe so far had revealed that Madhumita was keenly involved with Tripathi and was even looking after his financial matters. The sources said the deceased poetess was in charge of three schools, being run by family members of Tripathi in Gorakhpur.

“The close intimacy of the minister with the deceased poetess could be one motive behind the murder of Madhumita… and involvement of minister’s wife is thus not ruled out,” said a police source.

“The police is trying to find out source of income of Madhumita … as how she earned lakhs of rupees in just a few years,” said the source.

Meanwhile, the police team which returned from Kanpur ruled out involvement of one IIT, Kanpur, student Anuj Mishra in the murder. Anuj’s name suddenly sprang up after a priest claimed that he had performed marriage of Madhumita with Anuj Mishra.