Chirag to Nitish: Why Sarfraz suspended 'only' after media pressure

Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan on Saturday welcomed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's decision to suspended Janata Dal (United) MLA Sarfraz Alam, who allegedly misbehaved with a woman on a train, but asked why the action was taken only after pressure from the media.

"This was much needed, finally the Chief Minister has decided to sack him. In such sensitive cases, where women are getting molested the timing is also important. Why is it that it was done only after public and media pressure? Such issues should be dealt with utmost care and immediately," Paswan told ANI.

An FIR was registered on Monday against Alam for harassing a couple onboard Rajdhani Express. He was also charged with misbehaving with the woman passenger.

A case has been filed against the JD (U) MLA at GRP Police Station at Patna junction and he has been booked under Sections 341, 323, 290, 504 and 354A of the IPC.

Alam, however, has denied the charges, saying he didn't even board the train.

"These allegations are baseless. I did not even travel by that train. There is politics behind this to tarnish my image. I will initiate legal action," Alam said.

Meanwhile, the Congress has lauded the move by the Nitish-Kumar led government.

"It is good that such impartial level of investigation on a party is taking place," Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed said.