The arrest of Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan, known as Pappu Yadav, in a 1995 forgery case has stirred strong political responses in Bihar. The ruling NDA asserts that the arrest was in line with judicial directives, while opposition leaders question the timing of the action. BJP Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi highlighted that Pappu Yadav had been facing criminal charges for years and was declared absconding by the court, emphasizing the court’s call for his surrender.
JD-U national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan noted that the case dates back over three decades and is under CBI investigation. He emphasized the importance of judicial processes, stating that delays may occur but not injustice. Additionally, JD-U spokesperson Neeraj Kumar dismissed claims of political bias, emphasizing that the arrest was a result of the judiciary’s actions and should not be linked to unrelated issues.
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha raised concerns about the sudden action in a decades-old case, questioning the timing amidst ongoing issues in Bihar. The arrest of Pappu Yadav by the Bihar Police in connection with the forgery case led to a dramatic sequence of events at his residence in Patna, culminating in his hospitalization at Patna Medical College and Hospital due to health complaints.
According to official sources, the MP-MLA Special Court had ordered property attachment against Pappu Yadav and two others for repeatedly failing to appear in court despite arrest warrants. The case revolves around alleged fraudulent activities related to a rented house misrepresented as an MP’s office, leading to the filing of FIR No. 552/1995 at the Gardanibagh police station. Pappu Yadav has claimed police misconduct and political targeting, citing his vocal stance on sensitive matters, including the recent NEET aspirant’s demise, while the police maintain that the arrest was executed in adherence to court directives.
