Date:15/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/15/stories/2007061500381400.htm

National

Blankets, sewing machines seized in raid on SP office

Special Correspondent

These were procured for the poor during Mulayam regime

Police probing ex-minister's presence in office Some beneficiaries interrogated

LUCKNOW : The police on Thursday raided the Samajwadi Party office in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, and seized blankets and sewing machines meant for the destitute.

Home Secretary Javeed Ahmed told newspersons that the articles, worth approximately Rs. 10 lakh, were procured from the District Urban Development Agency when Mohd. Azam Khan was Urban Development Minister in the Mulayam Singh Government. But these were not distributed during the recent Assembly elections as the model code of conduct came into force.

Interrogation

Following complaints that blankets and sewing machines were being distributed by SP workers on Thursday, the police raided the party office, the Home Secretary said. The city magistrate and senior police officials also went there, but by then the distribution had stopped and SP workers left the place. The police interrogated some of the beneficiaries, but no first information report was lodged. It is alleged that Mr. Khan, now MLA from Rampur city, was supervising the distribution.

The raid was conducted at around 2.30 p.m. Initial reports said Mr. Khan's house was also searched, but a Home Department spokesman denied this claim. Investigations were being conducted into Mr. Khan's presence at the party office.