Lok Janshakti Party activists burn an effigy of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav during a protest in Patna on Thursday against the poor law and order situation in the state. — PTI
After evading arrest for almost a month, RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav finally surrendered before a local court in Bihar Sharif on Thursday. Yadav, who was declared an absconder, is accused of raping a 15-year-old girl at his Nawada residence on February 6.
The court, after Yadav’s surrender on Thursday, sent him to 14-day judicial custody. “Police pressure led to the surrender of the absconding MLA,” additional director-general of police Sunil Kumar said. “The police will soon take him on remand for further investigation. We will ensure that he faces speedy trial so that the victim gets timely justice,” he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, the victim’s family had threatened to immolate themselves if the police failed to arrest the RJD MLA. The victim had even refused to sit for her board exams, which was scheduled from Friday. Sources said, “Her family members, especially the victim, was so terrified after the police failed to arrest Raj Ballabh Yadav that she refused to sit for her exams. Now her family members want justice.”
The victim was lured by a woman and was taken to the residence of the MLA where he allegedly raped her. The woman and other accomplices were later arrested and were sent to jail, sources said adding that the MLA had paid her Rs 30,000.
The issue had led to a widespread condemnation against the Grand Secular Alliance government in Bihar and the BJP leaders had even raised the issue inside the state Assembly.
Slamming the police for not being able to arrest him, senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi mounted an attack on the government saying that the surrender became possible only after RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav intervened.
““Raj Ballabh Yadav’s surrender is Lalu Yadav’s victory, the RJD MLA remained at large despite all efforts to nab him and it was only after Lalu Yadav asked him to surrender before the court”, Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said in Patna on Thursday.
