Ranchi: The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jharkhand Tuesday demanded the resignations of two minister who have been accused of amassing wealth disproportionate to their income.
A. K. Singh, a special vigilance court judge, Monday directed the vigilance department to lodge first information reports (FIR) against Rural Development Minister Enos Ekka and Urban Development Minister Harinarayan Rai on the basis of a petition filed by Vinod Kumar, a resident of Deoghar district.
Kumar had alleged that Ekka and Rai had amassed wealth through corrupt means since they became ministers in 2005. Both the politicans are independent legislators. Former chief minister and BJP leader Arjun Munda said: "The Shibu Soren government should make its stand clear on the directive of the vigilance court. Both the ministers should be removed from the cabinet to ensure a fair probe." However, both the ministers denied the allegations. "I have not done anything illegal.
A complaint could be lodged against a minister only after taking permission from the chief minister and assembly speaker," said Ekka. "I have not seen the copy of the judgment. I will consult legal experts then speak on the issue," said Rai. Another Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against Ekka and Rai, as well as three other ministers, will be heard by the high court Wednesday. The petitioner has sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged misappropriation of wealth by the ministers.
