Seraikela-Kharsawan police have issued arrest warrant against Ichagarh MlA and BJP leader Sadhucharan Mahto in connection with an alleged assault on the district land acquisition officer Dipu Kumar on February 22.

Sources said the police  obtained an arrest warrant against the MlA who is accused of manhandling Dipu Kumar at a public function organised to distribute compensation amounts among the villagers of Seraikela.

The police had filed FIR against Ichagarh BJP legislator in the assault case that took place last Thursday at Raghunathpur village in Nimdih.

According to information, a team of Adityapur police station conducted raids at several places across the district. It went to the MlA’s residence in Sridungri, but failed to nab him.

Sources said the MlA has gone traceless after the arrest warrant was issued in his name.

“Yes we have issued arrest against Mahto and have launched operation to nab him as he has gone traceless. Based on the FIR we are taking every step to arrest him. However, we cannot divulge more details on it,” said Seraikela-Kharsawan SP Chandan Kumar Sinha.

He said separate teams have been formed to nab MlA.

Meanwhile, the 48 hour ultimatum given by Jharkhand Administrative Service Association ( JHASA) has expired. 

A senior functionary of JHASA said they will chalk out future course of action if police fail to arrest him.

Police said the legislator assaulted Kumar in  a dispute related to payment of compensation to the displaced persons.

The administration was acquiring land for a project of widening of NH-32. 

For the NH widening project, the administration is acquiring land from five villages through which the NH-32 passes.