SC: PIL seeking CBI probe in fund misuse by Mayawati

 A PIL was filed in the Supreme Court today seeking CBI investigation into the alleged misuse of public funds by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati in installing her own statue and party symbol (elephant). Petitioner Ravikant, an advocate, alleged the said activity of installing the statues was being pursued as a matter of state policy, which was not permissible as the state policy must be in public interest and reasonable. Nobody (read Mayawati) can be allowed to waste public money according to his or her own whims and fancies, the petition said. Mr Ravikant has also sought directions from the apex court to restrain the Mayawati government from installing such statues in the state capital and other parts of the state at a heavy cost to the state exchequer, till the final disposal of the petition. According to the petitioner, the statues of Mayawati were being installed at the cost of Rs 52.20 crore.