Lucknow, April 27: Days before the fourth phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2019, the Central Bureau of Investigation registered a first information report (FIR) and six preliminary enquiries (PEs ) to probe alleged irregularities in the disinvestment of 21 state-owned sugar mills during BSP government in Uttar Pradesh in 2010-11. The probe has been initiated based against Mayawati government based on the 2013 report filed by Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

According to the report, as published in the Hindustan Times, the irregularities led to a loss of Rs 1,179 crore to the state exchequer. The FIR names seven people who allegedly submitted forged documents in the purchase of the mills, run by the UP State Sugar Corporation Limited. These people have been charged with forgery, cheating and under section 629 (A) of the Companies Act, which deals with providing false evidence. Kannauj: Bull Enters Helipad Area of Mayawati-Akhilesh Yadav Rally, Frightens Scores of SP-BSP Supporters 

Though no Uttar Pradesh government official or politician has been named in the FIR or PEs, the timing of registering the FIR is seemed to have a political connection since BSP is contesting the polls with an alliance with Samajwadi Party against BJP in Uttar Pradesh for 80 Lok Sabha seats.

Alleging the misuse of federal agencies by the ruling BJP government to harass and pressurise leaders of opposition parties, BSP national general secretary Ramachal Rajbhar said, as quoted by the daily, The people will give a befitting reply to the BJP in the ongoing Lok Sabha election."

Earlier, the CAG began the probe in 2013 looking into the matter of sugar mills being sold at 'dirt cheap' prices. On April 12, the Yogi Adityanath government issued a notification seeking a CBI investigation into the case and asked the probing agency to investigate the 'entire sale proceedings of 21 sugar mills', including use of bogus companies and documents in the purchase of seven closed mills in Deoria, Bareilly, Laxmiganj, Hardoi, Ramkola, Chittauni and Barabanki.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 27, 2019 11:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).