Lucknow: A day after UP Governor Ram Naik’s letter to chief minister Yogi Adityanath about allegations of corruption against his principal secretary leaked, the complainant in the case was arrested on Friday.
Abhishek Gupta, a Lucknow resident, was taken into custody from his home and is being questioned by the police. He was picked up just before he was scheduled to address a press conference. He has been booked under Section 420 (fraud) and 501 (Printing matter known to be defamatory) of the Indian Penal Code.
Gupta had accused the CM’s principal secretary of demanding a bribe of Rs 25 lakh to sanction land for a project.
After the matter was highlighted by media, state BJP workers filed an FIR against him at Hazratganj police station, alleging that Gupta was “using names of BJP leaders to get illegal work done".
In a letter dated April 30, the governor had brought to the CM’s notice the problem being faced by Gupta in getting additional land for setting up a petrol pump.
“Principal secretary S P Goel first demanded bribe indirectly, but was later upfront in asking for Rs 25 lakh to set up a petrol pump in Hardoi," alleged Gupta.
The arrest has created an uproar in the political circles with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav demanding a CBI probe in the matter.
“The one who highlighted corruption has been arrested, while no action has been taken against the principal secretary. Why is law different for two people?" he questioned.
The letter comes at a time when Adityanath is reportedly cracking down on corruption in the state. On Thursday, Adityanath suspended the district magistrates of Fatehpur and Gonda for alleged irregularities in wheat purchase and distribution of food grains.
Goel, a 1989 batch IAS officer who has worked on important posts at the Centre and in the state government, maintains a low profile and has so far remained non-controversial. Appointed principal secretary to the chief minister after Adityanath formed the government, Goel rubbished the allegations.
He said, “This is ridiculous. I received the file only after the governor’s letter was received. I recused myself, did not deal with the case and informed the chief minister about the same." “I am not aware of any decision taken on the issue, he added.
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