Noida's millionaire chief engineer 'divorced' wife to save his wealth

Noida Authority chief engineer Yadav Singh, who had allegedly amassed wealth over Rs 1,000 crore through shady deals and shell companies, had reportedly ‘divorced’ his wife to save his ‘ill-gotten wealth’.

Despite there being a formal divorce granted by a court two years back, Yadav Singh continued to live with his wife, sources here said.

The sources said Yadav Singh’s wife had moved the court in 2012 seeking divorce from her husband on the ground of mutual consent. The court had granted the divorce in the same year.

Incidentally, the probe by the state crime branch CID had also been launched into the complaints of corruption against Yadav in the same year.

“The divorce petition was filed after the probe was ordered,” said an official here.
“Despite the divorce, the two have been living together,” said the official.
Significantly, Yadav Singh’s wife had also established several companies in which her husband’s money had been invested.

The recent income tax raids at Yadav Singh’s Noida house as well as at the residences of his business partners and others have reportedly unearthed unaccounted cash, jewellery and other assets worth thousands of crores.

Meanwhile, social activists here on Tuesday staged a dharna against the state government’s alleged ‘inaction and the direct and the indirect patronage’ being given to Yadav Singh.

The activists sent a representation to the UP Governor Ram Naik seeking immediate suspension of Yadav Singh, procurement of relevant documents from the IT Department to get administrative enquiry by an honest IAS officer and CBI inquiry regarding all his works and decisions.

It also sought action in closure of CBCID case and action against the IAS officer who acted as a conduit to rehabilitate Yadav Singh.

Interestingly, Singh had been suspended by the Samajwadi Party government in 2012 and a probe was ordered. But even though the probe was on, he was made the chief engineer. A red corner notice had also been issued against him after he disappeared following his suspension.