Mayawati sacks minister

Minister of State for Religious Affairs Rajesh Tripathi was stripped of his post by the governor on the recommendations of the chief minister, sources said. He had reportedly turned a part of the land into cremation ground and had been levying taxes on the burning of bodies. He had also built a hotel on part of the ground.

The state Lokayukta had, after a complaint in this regard, summoned the minister to seek his explanation. The minister reportedly admitted to many of the allegations.