CBI to probe Kavita case

Against the backdrop of names of ministers in his government cropping up in the case, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday announced a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the disappearance and suspected murder of Meerut lecturer Kavita Rani.

With opposition parties like the Congress seeking handing over the case of the missing Chaudhry Charan Singh University lecturer to the central investigating agency, Yadav announced the decision at a news conference in Lucknow.

He sidestepped a question on the demand for Basic Education Minister Kiranpal Singh's resignation for his links with 29-year-old Kavita who was murdered over sharing of the blackmail money collected from politically influential people, according to main accused Ravindra Pradhan.

The chief minister said he has already recommended a CBI probe into the incident.

Pradhan, believed to be Singh's nephew, gave him a 'clean chit' during a press conference in Meerut where he was produced by police, but alleged former UP Irrigation Minister Meerajuddin Ahmed of and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Babulal (both of the Rashtriya Lok Dal) are involved.

Meerajuddin has since resigned from the RLD and Babulal quit the Cabinet.

Kavita was reported missing since October 22, 2006 after a trip to her village in Bulandshahr to celebrate Diwali, an FIR lodged by her brother Satish.

Police found some letters when they searched her hostel room in Meerut that claimed she feared for her life from some "politically influential" people of the state. Kavita's body has still not been recovered.