Former MP back to jail, his escort policemen suspended

Patna, July 17 (UNI) The Bihar government today ordered a probe into the circumstances leading to the mysterious disappearance of JD(U) leader and former MP Anand Mohan from Saharsa prison on July 5 and his rearrest in Patna yesterday.

The policemen, who escorted the incarcerated ex-MP all along his journey from Saharsa to Patna via Dehradun and Delhi, were put under suspension with immediate effect for dereliction of duty.

''The entire episode smacks of a high level conspiracy since Mr Anand Mohan was taken to Dehradun on June five after lapse of the production warrant in a court. He was required to be produced before a Dehradun court on June 29 while it was done on July 11,'' Bihar's Home secretary Afzal Amanullah noted.

Mr Mohan was 'traceless' during the period from his departure from Saharsa jail till production before Dehradun court and in the second spell from July 11 to 16 until he was rearrested by police in Patna, he reiterated.

Mr Amanullah wondered how a person under judicial custody facing charges in 17 criminal cases and lodged in jail could be detected in a hotel here and said that as soon as the report reached, the government ordered to immediately send him to Saharsa jail.

Furious at the attitude of the government, Mr Mohan and his supporters tried to resist the police although in vain. Another case for allegedly obstructing the police from discharging their lawful duties has been registered.

Meanwhile, Mr Mohan pleaded ignorance about violation of any law of the land and claimed that everything was done under orders from the court.

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