Bahraich Ex-MLA, alleged NRHM scam kingpin, held in DA case

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment on Wednesday arrested Mukesh Srivastava alias Gyanendra Pratap Srivastava, a former Congress MLA from Payagpur in Bahraich and an alleged kingpin of the multi-crore National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam, in a disproportionate assets (DA) case.

The arrest was made by the Intelligence/CI sector team of the vigilance establishment in connection with Case Crime No. 11/2023 registered at Lucknow Sector police station under Sections 13(1)(b) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), officials said.

According to investigators, Srivastava allegedly amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income during his tenure as MLA between March 6, 2012, and March 11, 2017. Vigilance records show that while his total legitimate income stood at ₹1.12 crore, his expenditure was ₹1.79 crore — about 59.74% higher than disclosed income.

“When asked to explain the discrepancy, he failed to provide a satisfactory response. Subsequently, with government sanction, a case was registered under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and an investigation was launched,” an official said.

Srivastava later joined the Samajwadi Party in 2016 while he and his wife, Pooja Srivastava, were under investigation by the CBI in the NRHM scam. In 2014, both were declared absconders and non-bailable warrants were issued against them.

Officials said the former legislator is also facing investigation in at least three other vigilance cases linked to alleged irregularities in NRHM works across multiple districts.

One such case, FIR No. 07/2026, lodged at Lucknow Sector police station, invokes Sections 420, 166 and 120-B of the IPC, along with Sections 7, 8 and 13(1)(a) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. It pertains to alleged irregularities in NRHM projects in Shravasti between 2017-18 and 2021-22.

Another case, FIR No. 08/2026, includes charges under Sections 166, 120-B, 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, relating to alleged irregularities, forgery and misuse of funds in NRHM works in Balrampur district during 2017-18 to 2021-22.

Srivastava is also an accused in FIR No. 08/2025 registered at the Vigilance Establishment’s Ayodhya Sector police station under Sections 120-B and 409 of the IPC, and Sections 7 and 13(1)(a) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The case pertains to alleged large-scale irregularities and criminal breach of trust in NRHM works in Gonda district.

Vigilance officials said further legal proceedings are underway in all cases, with agencies continuing to gather documentary and financial evidence and examine the roles of those involved.