For, a major chunk of the estimated Rs 28-crore undeclared income assessed by the CBI is in the name of her relatives and several of whom have recently approached the Income Tax Settlement Commission. Reason: the commission is empowered to grant them immunity against any legal action after they declare their assets and pay penalties.

Their application was just in time.

From tomorrow, as per an amendment to the I-T Act, the commission will no longer accept “search (raid) cases.” But all applications filed before the Commission before June 1 — which includes those of Mayawati’s relatives — “shall be deemed to have been allowed to be proceeded with” provided the additional tax is paid before July 31 and all pending cases are wrapped up by March 2008.

As many as 72 immovable assets or properties were listed in Mayawati’s DA cases by the CBI and 54 bank accounts were frozen. The value of the properties, mostly in and around Delhi and Noida, was computed at approximately Rs 7 crore and the amount frozen in bank accounts was Rs 7.36 crore. Besides, investigations by the CBI and the Income Tax Department revealed Rs 13.18 crore as deposits into bank accounts via 307 “donations” from 130 “donors.” These donors, curiously included, sweepers, hawkers and rickshaw-pullers. The immovable properties, the CBI claimed, had been bought in the name of Prabhu Dayal (Mayawati’s father), Raj Kumar (her brother), Tej Singh (her cousin), Nirmal Rani (her sister-in-law), Siddharth Kumar (her brother), Anand Kumar (her brother), Raj Veer Singh (her cousin) and Vichitra Lata (her sister in law).

It is understood that between 12-15 applications from Mayawati’s relatives are lying with the commission. While all such applications are considered strictly confidential, the CBI approached the commission for details. Sources in the commission told The Indian Express that they informed the CBI, in writing, that while confidential portions of the applications could not be shared, “discussions” on the sensitive case could be held. The CBI, sources said, is yet to get back to the commission.

Incidentally, the latest move is said to be in line with Mayawati’s plea that the value of assets owned by her in her own name should be separated from those owned by her relatives. CBI officials said they have not taken a “final view” on this separation.

When asked about the applications of Mayawati’s relatives, a commission official told The Indian Express: “These applications will be treated like other cases and will be scrutinized and possibly settled by March 2008.”

Several politicians, including J Jayalalithaa and Sukh Ram, facing disproportionate assets cases, have earlier approached the Settlement Commission for relief.

Meanwhile, Taj case comes up today

The Taj Corridor case comes up before Special Judge Rekha Dixit in Lucknow on Friday to take up the rejoinder filed by former Environment Principal Secretary R K Sharma. Three months ago, directed by the SC, the CBI sent its file to the Lucknow court and moved a request for prosecuting Mayawati and others. There have been two hearings in the case since then but sanction is awaited. Sources in Raj Bhavan said the CBI request is under “active legal examination.”