Yadav Singh Yadav Singh

Former engineer-in-chief of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway Authority Yadav Singh is relaxed and quite confident he will come out of any probe untouched, says his aide.

The aide told MAIL TODAY on Tuesday, "He is comfortable with the I-T men because he has legally fortified himself. The I-T department officials have found some documents, cash and jewellery which only prove he evaded tax. They have also got something which suggests his family members and cronies assembled disproportionate wealth. But such things don't bother him, because he knows that many bureaucrats and politicians are backing him."

He added, "Imposing a fine is the maximum they can do. They cannot do anything more in a case in which black money was not used for anti-national activities. Very soon, you will find it is just a case of financial irregularity. He has been taken to Jaipur for interrogation. But he laughs off the questions of the I-T officials and asks them to proceed against him with whatever they have in hand."

Yadav Singh's bungalow was among the properties that were raided by the I-T department in relation to a Rs 900-crore scam. Yadav Singh's bungalow was among the properties that were raided by the I-T department in relation to a Rs 900-crore scam.

The reason behind Singh's confidence is loud and clear. It is noteworthy that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who had re-appointed Singh on the same post from where he was suspended on corruption charges, has refrained from taking any action against him. When asked about his take on Singh's Rs 900-crore assets, Akhilesh, speaking in Faizabad two days ago, told media persons, "We are here to have sweets in a marriage ceremony. Leave other things aside and enjoy."

UP Lokayukta Justice N.K. Mehrotra who was probing the irregularities in the Noida farm house allotments during Singh's previous tenure had also closed the case on October 14 this year. Mehrotra said, "We didn't find anything against him. Interestingly, the complainants in the case, including BJP leaders Kirit Somaiya and Surya Pratap Shahi, didn't turn up to pursue it when notices were issued to them." State BJP president Laxmikant Bajpai said, "UP government had, on October 27, suspended the finance officer of Barabanki district education department Raj Mani Mishra allegedly because Secondary Education Minister Mahboob Ali believed that eight rings on the officer's five fingers was an indication of his being corrupt.

The CM has suspended more than 50 officers for reporting late to office. But he doesn't find any reason to suspend Singh. This is why I demand the CBI should probe the criminal case while the ED should probe the financial irregularities." The aide, however, said, "It is not a secret that a BJP MP from Maharashtra helped Singh set up the shell companies. Obviously, the party wants central government agencies to take over the case so that they can protect the leader at the Centre."

Even BSP supremo Mayawati, always commenting on any state problem, is mum. When asked by newspersons, she said, "It would be unwise to say anything at this stage. Let us wait for completion of the inquiry."

Somaiya has alleged that Mayawati will remain silent because her brother Anand Kumar was an alleged partner of Singh in floating the shell companies to convert the black money into white.