FIR against MLC Akshay Pratap for bid to grab firm’s assets

Lucknow: An FIR was lodged against Uttar Pradesh MLC Akshay Pratap Singh, popularly known as “Gopal Ji”, and several others on allegations of forgery, cheating and manipulation of partnership firm records in an alleged attempt to grab assets worth over Rs 5 crore.

The case was registered at Hazratganj police station on Thursday following directions issued by a Lucknow court under Section 156(3) of the CrPC. Police have invoked sections 420 (cheating) and 465 (forgery) of the IPC.

The complaint was filed by Bhanvi Kumari Singh, wife of former Uttar Pradesh minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya. In her complaint, she alleged that forged documents and fake signatures were used to illegally alter the ownership structure of a partnership firm in which she was a partner.

Bhanvi claimed the market value of the firm’s properties exceeds Rs 5 crore and alleged that between Nov 2020 and Sept 2022, Akshay Pratap Singh and his associates conspired to take over the firm and its assets by tampering with official records.

Apart from Akshay Pratap Singh, the FIR names Rohit Kumar Singh, Anil Kumar Singh and Ram Dev Yadav as co-accused, along with unidentified people.

‘Claims false, not legally sustainable’

Lucknow: MLC Akshay Pratap Singh said that the allegations against him were one-sided and legally unsustainable. He claimed that the firm in question had two directors and no changes could have been made without the consent and signatures of both parties. He further claimed that the directors had jointly approved the induction of members and that the procedures were carried out legally at the time. Calling the allegations “false,” Singh maintained that the matter was being presented from only one side and said his version should also be considered. “Our position and documents are also there,” he said.