Controversial RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav, accused of raping a minor girl last month, surrendered in a court in Bihar’s Nalanda district on Thursday after being on the run.
Yadav, 50, surrendered in the court of Additional District Judge Rashmi Sikha in the alleged rape of a 15-year-old school on 6 February.
The court sent him to 14 days judicial custody and the MLA was forwarded to Bihar Sharif divisional jail later on.
He travelled to the court in a car whose glasses were covered with newspapers to hide his identity.
People close to the MLA said he changed three vehicles before coming to the court.
When reporters sought his reaction on the episode, Yadav said:
I have faith in the court.
Yadav, who had served as a minister in Rabri Devi’s government, was eluding the police for the past one month.
The MLA’s episode had triggered widespread condemnation for the grand secular alliance government headed by Nitish Kumar.
The MLA had allegedly raped the girl who was lured by a woman to the MLA’s residence on 6 February. Yadav had allegedly paid Rs 30,000 to the woman for bringing the girl.
It was reported that the MLA had prepared a CD of the obscene act and had threatened to hand it over to his security guards if she resisted rape.
The MLA was denied anticipatory bail by both Nalanda District Court as well the Patna High Court.
The court of ADJ Rashmi Sikha had given permission for attachment of properties of the fugitive MLA at Nalanda, Nawada and Patna, which was carried out by police.
The RJD has suspended him.
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