Impending case against Manjhi may land him in trouble

The case against him is in a Bhojpur district court in connection with an 'obscene' music album

Newly inducted minister Binay Bihari in the Jitan Ram Manjhi government might land in trouble as a court case is pending against him in a Bhojpur district court in connection with an 'obscene' music album.

A case was filed in the court of Bhojpur Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) against 13 persons including Binay Bihari for composing indecent scenes and songs for a music album over a decade back.

Binay Bihari, an Independent MLA from Lauria in East Champaran district, has become Minister for Art, Culture and Sports in the state government led by Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.

The case was filed by one Prabhat Kumar Singh, president of a non-governmental cultural organisation- Bhojpuria Sena.

A report from Arrah said that the court of SDJM Kishori Lal had in January this year issued an order for attachment of property of all 13 named in the case. But, no action was taken thereafter.

The minister has denied the charge.

Bihari told reporters in the Assembly premises that this case was filed 10-12 years back against all the composers and singers of nearly a dozen songs in that music Album in Bhojpuri language.

Music company T-series is fighting the case.

He alleged that the case was filed with "maligned intention" and against all composers and singers though he claimed there were one or two vulgar songs in the Album.

He said he never received any summon from the court in connection with the case.

Asked if he was planning to apply for a bail, he answered in negative.