New Delhi: In a significant development relating to allegations of amassing wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, his son Akhilesh and other members of the family to explain the source of income and investments of the last five years.

Asking them to place before it the returns of income tax and wealth tax filed by them between 2001 to 2006, a vacation Bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice C.K. Thakker posted to July 17 the hearing on the PIL filed by Vishwanath Chaturvedi, an Uttar Pradesh resident. He alleged that Mr. Yadav and his family, including his other son Pratik and Akhilesh's wife Dimple, had acquired wealth in crores by "illegal means" and by misusing their official position.

While passing the order, the Bench also kept open the issue of examining the bonafide of the petitioner as senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Chief Minister, questioned the credentials of Mr. Chaturvedi.

"Politically motivated"

Mr. Rohatgi alleged that the PIL was politically motivated as the petitioner had said in his affidavit that he was "adopted" by the Congress in the last State Assembly polls to contest against Bharatiya Janata Party Chief Rajnath Singh. "The Congress does not adopt just anybody just like that," he said.

Senior advocate P.N. Lekhi, appearing for Mr. Chaturvedi, said there was no political motive in filing the PIL as the Congress was a coalition partner of the Mulayam Government in the State and the Samajwadi Party was supporting the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre.

During the hearing, it was pointed out that the Income Tax Department had issued notice to Mr. Yadav and Mr. Akhilesh to give details about moveable and immoveable properties acquired by them and their family during the financial year 2002-03 to 2005-06.

Mr. Yadav has refuted allegations levelled by Mr. Chaturvedi charging him of acting at the behest of the Congress. His counsel said Mr. Chaturvedi was the head of the Public Interest Litigation cell of the Congress, which was denied by him in the affidavit.

The court had issued notice to the Centre besides Mr. Yadav and his parliamentarian son on January 9.

The PIL had sought action for prosecution against the Chief Minister and his family members alleging that they had illegally procured properties.

Mr. Chaturvedi maintained that he was not guided by political considerations while filing the PIL. — PTI

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