Jalgaon: Maharashtra Minister for Food Supplies, Suresh Jain has slapped a legal notice on noted anti- corruption crusader Anna Hazare, asking him to forthwith withdraw his allegations of corruption levelled against the former or face defamation proceedings in the court.

Jain’s counsel Achyutrao Atre issued the notice on May 13, which is expected to reach Hazare at his village ralegan-siddhi within three days.

Jain, who is the guardian minister of the district, on May 9, had challenged Hazare to produce proof of corruption charges against him within a week or face a criminal case.

Hazare had reportedly made allegations at Nanded that four state ministers, including Jain, were 'most corrupt' and that he had proof of it.

Jain challenged Hazare to produce the proof within a week, failing which he would file a criminal case.

The minister, replying to Hazare's allegation, claimed that anti-corruption committees (ACC) formed by the social reformer were "A den of ransom demanders and ransoms are demanded in connivance with hazare himself."

PTI