A sitting BJP MlA and two former MPs of JD(U) and RJD are among 14 people sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment by a fast-track court of Sitamarhi in north Bihar on Thursday in a case related to mob attack on Sitamarhi Collectorate on August 11, 1998.
The attack had led to violence and arson and police had to open fire in which five people including a former MlA Ram Charitra Yadav died.
BJP MlA from Parihar Ram Naresh Yadav, former JD(U) MP from Sitamarhi Nawal Kishore Rai and former RJD MP from Sheohar Anwarul Haq, besides others had earlier been convicted by fast-track court judge Mohammad Irashad Ali on Tuesday.
All the convicts have also been handed out fine. The verdict in this case has come after 17 years. They were brought from the jail when the judge pronounced quantum of punishment and again send to jail. They are likely to be lodged in Muzaffarpur central jail.
The accused, also including Rashtriya lok Samata Party district president Ram lakhan Kushwaha and general secretary Mohan Kumar Singh have been convicted under IPC’s sections 307 (attempt to murder), 322 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 147 (punishment for rioting) and 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon). One convict Suryadeo Rai, who was a police bodyguard of former MP Rai was handed over a five-year prison term.
The demonstration was called by ex-MP Rai and others in protest against alleged bungling in distribution of flood relief. The protestors turned berserk and ransacked the Collectorate and attacked government servants. The then DM Ram Nandan Prasad, SP Paresh Saxena and about 20 policemen and five magistrates were injured in the brick batting. Police opened the fire in which five people were killed. The case was filed by then DM and SP against 72 persons at Dumra police station. All others except 15 people were set free by the court in absence of proof.
A crowd had gathered outside the fast-track court on Thursday. After the verdict they raised slogans against the order. BJP MlA Yadav and ex-MP Haq broke down while being taken to jail.