JD-U suspends MLA for misbehaving with couple

Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) on Saturday suspended its legislator for allegedly misbehaving with a couple inside a running train, saying his conduct brought "bad image to the party".

"Top leadership of the party, including president Sharad Yadav and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met here and decided to suspend Sarfaraj Alam for his behaviour and bad conduct. The incident has given a bad name to the party," state JD-U president Vashsisht Narain Singh told the media here.

Alam is alleged to have misbehaved with a couple aboard the Delhi-Guwahati Rajdhani Express.

Earlier, Nitish Kumar hinted at action against Alam for his conduct with the couple. "Nobody is above the law," the chief minister said.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad had also favoured action against Alam. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is a part of the ruling alliance in the state.

Inderpal Singh Bedi and his wife, in an FIR registered at Patna railway station, complained that Alam, his bodyguard and another aide misbehaved with them aboard the train, an official said, adding they passed vulgar comments about the couple who boarded the train from Delhi.

Patna rail superintendent of police P. N. Mishra said a four-member team sent from Patna to register a formal complaint returned from Delhi after recording the statement of the victim and other witnesses.

Mishra said a summon was issued to Alam to appear before the investigation official and present his stand on Saturday following the police team having found the complainant correct prima facie.

"The investigation is on into the case and the police would take action against the legislator if the charges were found to be true," Mishra said.

Alam, son of former union minister Mohammad Taslimuddin, is JDU legislator from Jokihat assembly constituency in Araria district of Bihar.

Singh also informed of a possible action against legislator Bima Bharti, who allegedly helped her gangster husband Awadsh Mandal to escape from police lock up. "Party is waiting for administrative report in this case, if she is found guilty, the party would take action against her."