 |
||
|
||
|
||
Author: Express News Service
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: October 20, 2005
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/archive_full_story.php?content_id=80394
Introduction: Order inquiry into release of RJD candidate and brother of minister
The Election Commission today ordered the removal of IG, Bhagalpur zone, N C Dhondiyal from his post and instituted an inquiry into the release of RJD candidate from Jamui, Vijay Prakash Yadav, who was arrested yesterday.
Vijay was released on bail-though the charges were non-bailable-after his brother, Union Minister of State for Water Resources Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav, allegedly reached the police station last night and used his influence. The RJD candidate and two others were arrested on the charge of carrying arms, ammunition, liquor and cash on polling day.
The officer-in-charge of Kahira police station has been suspended for releasing Vijay. Although the EC cited other reasons for ordering the removal of the IG, sources said that it was due to the role he played in the release of Vijay, who was RJD MLA in the dissolved Assembly.
Vijay and two others were arrested after a chase by the police yesterday. Jamui SP Arvind Kumar said that on polling day, they received complaints that Vijay and his supporters were intimidating voters and trying to capture booths. "When we spotted them, they tried to escape but were caught," the SP said. The recovery made from the RJD candidate's vehicle was incriminating: One rifle, 10 live cartridges, an improvised explosive device, liquor bottles and more than Rs 6.5 lakh in cash.
On learning about the release of Vijay, EC advisor K J Rao reached Jamui, met local people and ordered an inquiry. ADG Manoj Nath has been asked to probe the incident and file his report tomorrow.
Today, a large number of NDA supporters reached the police station and protested the release of Vijay. The BJP demanded the removal of his brother as minister. BJP state president Sushil Kumar Modi also sought the removal of Railway Minister and RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav for allegedly having held a secret meeting with two top RPF officers a day prior to first phase of polling.
Two other RJD candidates were also arrested yesterday. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from Suresh Paswan, the RJD candidate from Deo in Aurangabad district.
The RJD, though chose to remain mum on the issue, has protested against the alleged beating up of its candidate by the SP, The party is planning to lodge a case against Jamui SP Arvind Kumar.
|
||
|
||
|
||