Raju Kumar Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA representing Sahebganj in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar, has been charged with abduction following a complaint filed by a local leader from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). This is the second criminal case against the legislator within a span of two months. Tulsi Rai, the RJD leader, accused Singh and five of his aides of abducting him at gunpoint with the intent to kill him.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday midnight as Rai was returning home from a private function where Singh and his associates were present. According to the complaint, Singh and his aides, traveling in three SUVs, intercepted Rai’s vehicle and forcibly took him into the MLA’s vehicle. Rai alleged that he was threatened with death during the ordeal. The police managed to rescue Rai from a cold storage facility owned by the MLA. Rai claimed that he was targeted because he had recently staged a demonstration against Singh for alleged misconduct and the use of caste slurs against a local circle officer.
In response to the accusations, the MLA claimed that a scuffle had broken out between his supporters and Rai’s supporters over a vehicular passage, and he had offered shelter to Rai in his own vehicle for his safety. The police have conducted raids at premises linked to the MLA and seized two SUVs. The senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Muzaffarpur stated that if the MLA fails to surrender, the process to attach his properties would be initiated. Additionally, a rifle was found at the MLA’s residence, and investigations are underway to determine if it is licensed or illegal.