BJP backs CBI probe demand in Abhishek Mishra's death

Varanasi, Dec 13 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today backed the demand for a CBI probe into the mysterious death of Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi (BIT-MESRA) student Abhishek Mishra.

''We support the Mishra family's demand for a CBI probe to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of an engineering student at the Dasham waterfall near Ranchi,'' former Union Minister and BJP national executive member Rajiv Pratap Rudy told newspersons here.

The family's demand for a CBI probe has already found support from former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP leader Arjun Munda.

Mr Rudy, who lost the last Lok Sabha elections from Chapra (Bihar) against RJD supremo and Railways Minister Lalu Prasad, however, made it clear that the party was not interested in making any comment over Ragini -- Mr Prasad's daughter -- friendship with Abhishek or her role in the incident.

He, however, questioned Mr Prasad's silence over the entire matter.

The BJP leader further criticised Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Kora for entertaining a youth who accompanied Abhishek to the Dasham waterfall on the day, at his official residence.

''This type of behaviour by the Chief Minister of a state is objectionable and lowers the dignity associated with the constitutional post,'' he maintained.

UNI ARS ATI MSJ RK1755