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Sources said the action is linked to scrutiny of financial transactions and documents related to movable and immovable assets
MLA Umashankar Singh (News18 Hindi)
With assembly elections approaching in Uttar Pradesh, the Income Tax Department’s early morning raid at the Lucknow residence of BSP’s only sitting MLA Umashankar Singh has injected fresh political heat into the state’s already charged atmosphere.
The search operation began at around 7am on Wednesday when more than 50 Income Tax officials, accompanied by Lucknow Police personnel, arrived in multiple vehicles at Singh’s residence in Gomti Nagar. The team cordoned off the premises and restricted movement in and out of the house. Officials were seen examining files, electronic devices, and other documents during the search.
Sources said the action is linked to scrutiny of financial transactions and documents related to movable and immovable assets. However, the Income Tax Department has not yet issued an official statement detailing the scope or findings of the raid.
The development comes at a time when Singh is battling serious health issues. A three-time MLA from Rasra in Ballia district, he is undergoing treatment for cancer. He has already undergone two major surgeries and recently returned from the United States after undergoing a blood-related medical procedure. Currently, he is said to be in isolation at his Lucknow residence as part of his ongoing treatment.
However, this is not the first time Singh has faced scrutiny over his assets. Around 11 months ago, the vigilance department initiated a probe into allegations of disproportionate assets. The investigation extended to properties allegedly purchased in the names of his wife Pushpa Singh, son Yukesh, and daughter Yamini.
The inquiry covered land, residential houses, flats, commercial establishments, and agricultural properties. Vigilance officials had sought details from multiple departments, including writing to the IG Prayagraj for information regarding registered assets. Records were also collected from sub-registrar offices in districts such as Varanasi as part of the probe.
According to Singh’s affidavit filed during the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, his total declared assets amount to approximately Rs54.05 crore. Of this, Rs 18.05 crore comprises movable assets, while Rs 35.99 crore falls under immovable property. He has also declared liabilities of around Rs 13 crore. His wife, Pushpa Singh, is the managing director of CS Infra Construction Limited.
Singh holds particular significance within the Bahujan Samaj Party because he is its only MLA in the current Uttar Pradesh Assembly. In the 2022 elections, the BSP managed to open its account solely through his victory from Rasra. His repeated electoral success has cemented his position as a key face of the party in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
His proximity to BSP chief Mayawati has also been politically noted. In the past, Mayawati publicly tied a rakhi to him, symbolising a close bond. On March 5, when Singh’s health deteriorated, she personally visited his residence to inquire about his condition and met his family members.
A 12th-pass leader, Singh began his political journey in student politics. In 1990, he was elected general secretary of the student union at AAC College in Ballia. He later rose to become the district panchayat chairman of Ballia in 2000, strengthening his grassroots presence.
He joined the BSP in 2011 and was first elected MLA from Rasra in 2012. Despite the BSP’s significant decline in seats that year, Singh secured over 84,000 votes and defeated his Samajwadi Party rival by a wide margin. He retained the seat in 2017 and 2022, marking three consecutive victories.
Singh’s political career has not been without controversy. On January 14, 2017, the then Governor Ram Naik declared him disqualified under provisions of the Representation of the People Act. The case involved allegations of obtaining government contracts in his own name. A Lokayukta inquiry found substance in the charges, and following court directions and an Election Commission recommendation, his assembly membership was terminated retrospectively — reportedly the first such instance in Uttar Pradesh.
February 25, 2026, 16:24 IST
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