SC notice to Bihar govt in Sadhu Yadav case

New Delhi, Oct 19 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Bihar government on a petition filed by the controversial RJD MP Anirudh Prasad alias Sadhu Yadav challenging Patna High Court's order rejecting his anticipatory bail in a case of assault on rival party candidate during Panchayat elections in Gopalganj district.

A bench comprising Justice B P Singh and Justice Tarun Chatterjee, however, extended the interim stay against the arrest of Sadhu Yadav, brother-in-law of railway Minister Lalu Prasad, till futher orders.

The counsel for the RJD MP told the apex court that a false case had been slapped against his client by the ruling party members in the state.

The petitioner also pleaded that he was not involved in any assault on tile candidate and his supporters and the allegations were ''totally politically motivated.'' The trial court had issued non-bailable warrant against Sadhu Yadav and both the trial court as well as the state High Court had rejected his petition for bail.

THe RJD MP had been evading arrest since the incident which took place last month.

UNI AKS/SC SB GC1729