Heading to hill shrines in UP CM’s name, Aman Mani Tripathi booked for violating lockdown

Controversial independent legislator from Nautanwa in Maharajganj district of Uttara Pradesh Aman Mani Tripathi was arrested by Uttarakhand police at Muni-Ki-Reti in Tehri Garhwal district for allegedly violating the lockdown along with 11 others while attempting to go to the shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath.

Interestingly, the incident has hugely embarrassed the Uttarakhand Government since the legislator was carrying a permission letter from state Additional Chief Secretary Om Parkash, a bureaucrat close to Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.

The issue came to light when the legislator’s entourage comprising three SUVs was stopped at Karanprayag for screening on Sunday night. It was reported that the legislator misbehaved with the officials and tried to bulldoze his way. However, SDM Karanprayag curtly told him to return since the portals of Badrinath temple will open on May 15 while pilgrims are not allowed to visit the Kedarnath temple which opened on April 29.

Karnaprayag SDM Vaibhav Gupta said that the UP legislator along with 11 other persons was first stopped at Gauchar barrier where he did not listen to officials and was stopped at Karanprayag where he misbehaved with doctors and administrative officials. However, he was turned back.

Most interestingly, the ‘permission letter’ given to him states that the permission was granted  to him to perform ‘Pitr Puja’ for the salvation of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s father who died recently.

On their way back, the legislator along with his accomplices were detained by Tehri Garhwal police at Muni-ki-Reti police station and a FIR was lodged under Sections 188, 269 and 270 of IPC, Disaster Management Act and Epidemic Disease Act on Sunday night. They were later released on personal bonds and allowed to proceed to Uttar Pradesh.

Aman Mani Tripathi is facing charges of his wife Sara's murder while his father Amar Mani Tripathi, a former UP minister, and his wife Madhu Mani Tripathi, are facing conviction in the murder of poetess Madhumita Shukla.

Uttarakhand Congress Committee has demanded immediate resignation of Additional Chief Secretary Om Parkash for granting permission to UP legislator. “It is very serious matter when a bureaucrat close to the Chief Minister violating all norms gives such permission. The Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat owes an explanation to the people,” said Suryakant Dhasmana, Vice-president of Uttarakhand Congress Committee.