Police Arrested Tej Pratap Prior to Filing NEET Protest Charges, Lawyer Claims
Legal counsel for Janshakti Janata Dal leader Tej Pratap Yadav alleges authorities detained the former Bihar minister before formally registering an FIR. The arrest follows violent protests in Patna over alleged NEET examination irregularities and the ensuing Bharat Bandh.
Procedural Irregularities Alleged in Patna Detention
Legal representatives for Tej Pratap Yadav, leader of the Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), have raised serious allegations regarding the timing of his arrest following protests over the NEET paper leak. Defense attorney Jagannath Singh stated that police took Yadav into custody at a Patna mall around 7:30 p.m. on July 25, 2024. However, the formal First Information Report (FIR) against the former minister was not registered until July 26.
According to Singh, the sequence of events saw Yadav produced before a judicial magistrate at 12:15 a.m. on Sunday, July 26, resulting in his remand to Beur Central Jail. The prosecution claims Yadav's involvement in a sit-in at Ram Gulam Chowk led to escalating tensions and property damage during the 'Bharat Bandh' demonstrations. While the police have not officially commented on the timing of the arrest, Singh confirmed plans to file a bail application in a competent court on Monday, July 27.
Political Fallout and Collateral Allegations
The arrest has triggered a sharp response from Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor. Kishor, currently contesting the Bankipur Assembly bypoll, characterizes the legal action as a targeted political maneuver. He asserts the BJP is employing administrative pressure against his supporters.
Key Context of the Dispute:
- Political Realignment: Yadav recently declared support for Kishor in the Bankipur bypoll after the nomination of JJD candidate Vina Mandavi was rejected.
- Protest Demands: The demonstrations centered on demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
- Party Status: Yadav launched the Janshakti Janata Dal following his expulsion from the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the party led by his father, Lalu Prasad.
Yadav previously voiced his ambition to challenge long-standing BJP dominance in Bankipur, suggesting that voters are increasingly prepared for a shifts in the regional political order. The police maintain that his presence at the Saturday protest directly contributed to the unrest that destabilized parts of the state capital.
Source: The Hindu — Home
