Extortion case filed against Bihar legislator

A case of extortion has been lodged here against Bihar's ruling JD-U legislator Anant Singh, police said Wednesday.

Businessman Raghvendra Pratap Singh lodged an FIR late Tuesday saying Anant Singh has demanded an extortion amount of Rs.10 crore from him.

In his complaint, the businessman also said the legislator threatened to kill him and his brother Raju Singh, a builder, if the amount was not paid.

However, Anant Singh's spokesperson Sanjit Kumar refuted the charges and said: "It is a baseless and false case."

Locally known as 'chote sarkar', Anant Singh is feared for his money and muscle power. There are dozens of criminal cases, including those for murder, kidnapping and extortion, registered against him.

He was arrested with four of his henchmen for attacking journalists Nov 1, 2007 but was later set free.

The politician, who belongs to the powerful upper caste Bhumihar community, is considered close to former chief minister Nitish Kumar.

In 2004, he was seen brandishing an AK-47 rifle in public but no action was taken against him. Under the law, only security personnel are allowed to carry the assault rifle.