Armed with an arrest warrant and a contingent of 500 men, anti-riot vehicles, dog squads and a forensics team, police on Wednesday arrested Anant Singh, the JD(U) MLA from Mokama constituency.
Singh, a three-term MLA, was arrested for the murder of Putush Yadav alias Pawan Kumar, following his abduction on June 17 from Barh. The youth’s body was recovered from Ladma, the MLA’s native village, the same evening.
The move came in the midst of mounting pressure from the Opposition and allies to take action against Singh, who is listed in over 40 cases, including those of forcefully grabbing property. All these cases could now be opened.
Police reached his official residence at 3:15am to interrogate him in a case of abduction of four people of which one was found dead. Simultaneous raids were also carried out at Singh’s other homes. He surrendered without resistance as his heavily-armed men were pinned down.
The police claim to have found evidence, offensive materials, a blood-stained cloth, weapons, magazines and other items to justify the arrest. The Patna Police also claim to have secured call details of the MLA and his men on the day the abductions were carried out up to the time the youth was killed.
{{/usCountry}}The police claim to have found evidence, offensive materials, a blood-stained cloth, weapons, magazines and other items to justify the arrest. The Patna Police also claim to have secured call details of the MLA and his men on the day the abductions were carried out up to the time the youth was killed.
{{/usCountry}}The police swung into action after the outgoing SSP of Patna, Jitender Rana, on Tuesday said the criminals arrested in connection with the murder and abduction had named Singh. “The JD(U) MLA’s name came up during interrogation following the arrest of four associates of Pratap Singh, the alleged mastermind, closely associated with Singh,” Rana had said.