JOIN USWith the Enforcement Directorate preparing to question Vijay Shankar Pandey, Principal Secretary (Information), in connection with the passport procured by Khan and some investments done abroad, the state government quickly distanced itself from the issue.
The UP government and the Chief Minister's office have nothing to do with Khan and if there is any proof of the allegations against Pandey, then he has to respond in his individual capacity, Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh told reporters here.
"Through media it has come to the knowledge of the government that Directorate of Enforcement may issue notice to Pandey for questioning him...keeping in view the seriousness of the issue, Pandey is being removed from the post," he said.
Singh said that linking CMO with the issue was not justified.
"It has come to our knowledge that one Amlendu Pandey was in contact with V S Pandey and on the basis of this letter a notice from the ED to the official is expected," he said.
"I will like to clarify that the episode has no connection with the state government as it has nothing to do with the personal matter," he said.
The Cabinet Secretary said Pandey has been posted as Member, UP Revenue Board and Divisional Commissioner Prashant Trivedi has been given additional charge of the information department.
Interestingly, Pandey is a co-petitioner with former supercop Julius F Rebeiro in the blackmoney case before the Supreme Court.
Pandey was earlier Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister but was moved out after he failed to fulfil his responsibilities on certain important matters and was posted in the Revenue Board in Allahabad, Singh said.
He later sought a posting in Lucknow citing health problems of his parents and as he showed interest in the information department, he was posted as its principal secretary," he said.