Court issues arrest, search warrants against RJD MLA

Biharsharif, Feb 15: A local court today issued arrest warrants against suspended RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav and three others in connection with a rape case involving a minor.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Rashmi Shikha also issued a warrant to conduct searches at the legislator's residence at Pathra village of Nawada district where he allegedly raped the minor girl on February 6.

Public prosecutor Manzar Hasan Khan said that the court also recorded the statements of the victim's sister and father in which they corroborated the rape incident.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Shalin had on Saturday issued an arrest order following a complaint against the MLA by the 15-year-old girl from Nalanda who had alleged that Yadav raped her on February 6 at his residence.

The statement of the girl has been taken under section 164 of IPC and an FIR in the case was lodged against Yadav with women police station, Nalanda, on February 9, he said. The girl had identified the accused MLA when his photograph was shown to her and later she identified him in person also, the DIG had said.

Following the public prosecutor's contention that police team was prevented from collecting forensic evidence at Yadav's residence in Nawada on Sunday, the judge also issued search warrant of his residence in Nawada.

The team from Nalanda had gone to collect bedsheet and clothes for forensic test but Yadav's supporters demanded the presence of a magistrate to collect the forensic evidence.

RJD took serious note of Yadav's alleged misconduct and suspended him from the party on Sunday. The party also served a show-cause notice to the legislator to explain his position. Yadav won from Nawada seat in the recent Assembly election and had previously served as a minister in the RJD government.

PTI