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The Allahabad High Court today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation plea, filed in the year 2014, seeking an enquiry against ex-Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Ms. Mayawati over alleged embezzlement of public money in the construction of gardens and memorials in Lucknow and Noida during her tenure.

The bench of Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Jaspreet Singh noted that "the counter affidavit filed by the State government indicates that the inquiries that were sought have already been initiated...The matter has already caught the attention of the office of Lokayukta (UP)."

"It has also been stated that in terms of the report submitted by the Lokayukta, proceedings have been initiated, details of which have been mentioned in (the counter affidavit). Having considered this, since the matter has already been taken note of by the appropriate authorities, this court does not deem it appropriate that any further action is required...Accordingly, this petition is dismissed," Court, therefore, held.

The petitioner, namely Bharat Nath Shukla through Advocates Ranjana Agnihotri and Hari Shankar Jain had filed this PIL seeking directions from the high court to the Government of U.P. to institute an enquiry against Ms. Mayawati and other officials of concerned departments "to enquire into the mis-finance, misuse of power and embezzlement of public money in respect of completing the project of construction of memorials and gardens at Lucknow and NOIDA during her tenure as Chief Minister from 2007 to 2012."

Along with this, stressing that the inquiry conducted by Lokayukt was incomplete by the time of filing of the plea, the petitioner had also sought directions to the State government to conduct an inquiry through some technical persons comprising of eminent engineers and experts of Geological Survey of India, to assess the actual loss incurred/ suffered by the State due to the indulgence of the then Ministers and Incharge of affairs in the Government of Ms. Mayawati while undertaking the construction of memorials and parks.

Case Title: Bharat Nath Shukla v. State of UP