Court asks Mayawati to explain use of public money for statues

New Delhi, June 29

The Supreme Court Monday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to explain, within four weeks, the use of public money for installing statues of Chief Minister Mayawati and other prominent Dalit leaders.

A vacation bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and A.K. Ganguli asked the state government to file an affidavit within four weeks, detailing its arguments for the use of public money to erect statues in the state.

The court's order came in response to a public interest petition filed by an advocate Ravi Kant, seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against Mayawati for misusing crores of rupees of public money for installing statues of herself and other Dalit leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Kanshi Ram and the party's elephant symbol.

Ravi Kant claimed that Rs.12.58 billion (Rs.1,258 crore) has been spent till now from the state exchequer to build statues, and a total of more than Rs.20 billion (Rs.2,000 crore) to "falsely glorify the chief minister".

However, the court did not order any stay on the ongoing construction of statues and memorials in the state.

Fearing action from the apex court, Mayawati had unveiled 15 statues, including her own and of party founder Kanshi Ram June 25, before the matter came up for hearing in the court.

Last updated on Jun 29^th, 2009 at 18:21 pm IST--IANS

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