New Delhi, July 10
In a bid to tighten the noose around Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, the CBI today filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court seeking permission to chargesheet her in the disproportionate assets case.

The CBI in its affidavit has stated that there is sufficient prima facie evidence to prosecute the BSP supremo under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly amassing assets beyond her known sources of income through corrupt means.

According to the CBI, Mayawati had misused her status as the Chief Minister for acquiring several properties in Lucknow, Delhi, at her ancestral village in Uttar Pradesh and in other parts of the country.

The Chief Minister is also facing allegations of involvement in the Taj Corridor scandal case. The trial in the case could not proceed further as the state Governor had declined to grant sanction for her prosecution.

Earlier, the government had consented for her prosecution and the letter was handed over to the state Governor by the then Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Mayawati is also facing allegations of acquiring assets running into crores of rupees by misusing her status as a public servant during her previous tenure as the Chief Minister.

Attorney-General Milon Kumar Banerjee had given an opinion to the government that no case was made out against Mayawati in the Taj Corridor scandal. At that time, she was having cordial relations with the Congress.

The political scene in the country has since taken a u-turn with the Mayawati government withdrawing support to the UPA government at the Centre and the SP extending support to it.

A review petition filed by the SP chief against the CBI investigation in the disproportionate assets case against him and his family members is already pending in the Supreme Court.

In Parkash Singh Badal case, the apex court has laid down that no sanction is required for the prosecution of public servants, including politicians and bureaucrats, who are facing allegations of corruption as corruption does not have any nexus with the official discharge of duty. — UNI