Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on June 20 ruled out re-induction of Amar Mani Tripathi in her Ministry till he was found innocent by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Madhumita Shukla murder case, in which his name has figured.

Mayawati told reporters that she had taken the decision not to re-induct Tripathi now "to maintain high standards of morality in public life".

There were, however, examples of people facing charges occupying position of power and there were no constitutional and legal hurdles in re-inducting Tripathi, she said citing the examples of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Chattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi and Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi.

In an obvious reference to Madhumita's mother Shanti Devi's letter on June 20 saying that she never levelled charges against Tripathi and that his dignity should be restored, the Chief Minister said, "Her (Shanti's) mental condition does not appear to be sound."

Earlier, the poetess' mother had demanded a CBI inquiry into the case, but when the government recommended a CBI inquiry she faxed a letter on June 17 saying that the case should be handed back to the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID), Mayawati said.

"I have taken it seriously. It is clear that her mental condition is not sound and her statements cannot be relied upon," she added.

PTI