Bihar doctor arrested for treating Maoist leader

A doctor and his three assistants have been arrested in Bihar's Aurangabad district after they were found treating a Maoist leader, say police.

A doctor and his three assistants have been arrested in Bihar's Aurangabad district after they were found treating a Maoist leader, police said on Monday.

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RS Gupta, a noted surgeon, and his three assistants were on Sunday held on charges of providing shelter and treatment to Maoist leader Binay Kumar Prajapati in Aurangabad, considered a Maoist stronghold.

Superintendent of Police (Aurangabad) Ganesh Kumar said Gupta was arrested following a raid on his nursing home in Aurangabad town, 140 km from Patna, for providing treatment to Prajapati. Another Maoist, Lav Kumar, was also arrested during the raid.

Kumar said they had "adequate evidence against Gupta of his links with Maoists" who operate in the district and neighbouring areas.

Police suspect that Prajapati was seriously injured in an exchange of fire between the police and Maoists at Raniganj in Gaya district on Friday. The encounter took place after the guerrillas attacked a police team, killing six officials.

Gupta has been the government doctor in the Aurangabad district jail for the last four years. Around 300 rebels, including top Maoist leaders, have been in the prison during this period.

"Police will look into Gupta's links with Maoists in view of the fact that he was posted in the jail," a police official said.

Kumar said that a detailed report on Gupta's links with the Maoists would be sent to the state government.