Monday, January 24 2005 15:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Seeking cancellation of former Uttar Pradesh Minister Amarmani Tripath's bail in Madhumita Shukla murder case, the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) has informed the Supreme Court that he has been trying to induce and threaten the key witnesses in the case, including the mother of the deceased.

Madhumita's mother, Shanti Shukla, has given a written complaint to CBI accusing Tripathi of making efforts to induce her and her family to accept money through one Nanda Kumar Mishra to compromise the case, the CBI said in its additional affidavit.

This affidavit was filed in the Special Leave Petition by the agency challenging an April 29, 2004 order of the Allahabad High Court granting him bail in the sensational murder case.

A Bench comprising Justice P V Reddy and Justice A K Mathur adjourned the case as counsel for the accused sought four weeks time to file reply to the petition.

The CBI, in its additional affidavit, said Shanti Shukla also complained in writing that when she refused to get induced, she and her family members were threatened.

Another witness in the case, Brajesh Pathak, who is also a Member of Parliament, has written a letter to CBI alleging that an attempt was made on his life in September and that he apprehended it to be done at the behest of Tripathi.

Stating that the witnesses were from a vulnerable section and that the accused wielded considerable political influence in Uttar Pradesh, the agency requested the Court to cancel the bail granted to him by the High Court.