Controversial UP minister sacked

Controversial Uttar Pradesh [ Images ] minister, Amarmani Tripathi, whose alleged relationship with a murdered poetess caused much embarrassment to the government, was removed from the ministry on Saturday.

Chief Minister Mayawati [ Images ], speaking to reporters at a hurriedly convened press conference, said the minister was being removed "to prevent the opposition parties from taking political advantage from the case."

She said the investigation into the murder of poetess Mudhumita Shukla has now been handed over to the Crime Branch CID with a directive to submit its report within a month.

The chief minister also announced the removal of Senior Superintendent of Police, Lucknow [ Images ], Anil Kumar Agarwal, saying the family members of the deceased had accused him of tampering with the evidence.