The Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment on Wednesday arrested Mukesh Srivastava, also known as Gyanendra Pratap Srivastava, a former Congress MLA from Payagpur in Bahraich and an alleged mastermind in the multi-crore National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam, in a disproportionate assets (DA) case.
Arrest Details
The arrest was carried out by the Intelligence/CI sector team of the vigilance establishment in connection with Case Crime No. 11/2023, registered at the Lucknow Sector police station under Sections 13(1)(b) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), officials confirmed.
Disproportionate Assets Allegations
According to investigators, Srivastava allegedly accumulated assets significantly disproportionate to his known sources of income during his tenure as MLA from March 6, 2012, to March 11, 2017. Vigilance records indicate that his total legitimate income was ₹1.12 crore, while his expenditure amounted to ₹1.79 crore—approximately 59.74% higher than his declared 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 stated.
Political Background and NRHM Scam
Srivastava later joined the Samajwadi Party in 2016, while he and his wife, Pooja Srivastava, were under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the NRHM scam. In 2014, both were declared absconders, and non-bailable warrants were issued against them.
Other Cases Under Investigation
Officials revealed that the former legislator is also being investigated in at least three other vigilance cases related to alleged irregularities in NRHM projects across multiple districts.
Case in Shravasti
One such case, FIR No. 07/2026, lodged at the Lucknow Sector police station, involves Sections 420, 166, and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (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.
Case in Balrampur
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, related to alleged irregularities, forgery, and misuse of funds in NRHM works in Balrampur district during the same period.
Case in Gonda
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. This case concerns alleged large-scale irregularities and criminal breach of trust in NRHM works in Gonda district.
Legal Proceedings
Vigilance officials stated that further legal proceedings are underway in all cases, with agencies continuing to gather documentary and financial evidence and examine the roles of those involved.
