Lucknow, July 21: CBI today detained the driver of former BSP minister Amar Mani Tripathi for questioning in connection with the murder of poetess Madhumita Shukla. Mahendra Yadav was picked up from Tripathi's residence and was taken to an undisclosed location for questioning, a highly placed police source told newpersons here.

The driver could throw light on the activities of the former minister and his relation with the slain poetess, the source added.
The CBI, however, refused to either confirm or deny the detention of Yadav.

Unconfirmed reports also said that CBI once again took Madhumita's servant Deshraj to her paper mill colony residence and asked him to narrate what, according to him, had happened on the day she was found murdered. Deshraj had been taken to the residence twice earlier.

Madhumita was shot dead on May 9 by two assailants. Deshraj was the only witness. He had earlier said there were two assailants, one of whom claimed to be Satya Prakash.
The murder of Madhumita created a political furore after it was revealed that she enjoyed an intimate relationship with Tripathi.


Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati sacked Tripathi and handed over the case to the CB-CID. Later she recommended the case to the CBI.
Bureau Report