Notice to Maya over arson in Joshi's house

LUCKNOW: Rejecting objections of advocate-general Jyotindra Mishra, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday issued notice to chief minister Mayawati in connection with riot and arson at the residence of state Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi.

The bench also issued notice to CB-CID, governor’s principal secretary, Union government and CBI on the writ filed by Joshi seeking CBI probe into the case.

The division bench, comprising Justice Abdul Mateen and Justice Ashwani Kumar Singh, also directed the state government to submit a progress report on the CB-CID probe into the case. Joshi had claimed that in a bid to save face, the CB-CID had booked five innocents in the case.

Directing the respondents to file counter-affidavit in the matter, the bench fixed October 13 as the next date of hearing.

In the petition, Joshi had stated that while addressing a public meeting on July 15 in Moradabad, she had exhorted the SC/ST women to refuse compensation provided by chief minister under the SC/ST Act.

Joshi further said that she had asked the women to “throw the money on the face of CM Mayawati and tell her that if ever she happens to be a victim of rape then we shall pay Rs 1 crore.”

Though she did not mean to insult Mayawati, an FIR was registered against her under the SC/ST Act in Moradabad on the same day, said Joshi.

Immediately after the FIR was lodged, on the command of the chief minister BSP politicians/MLAs in Lucknow along with anti-social elements and under the protection of senior officials indulged in riot and arson at her residence, she added.