Bokaro lynching: Cops clear Mahto's name, say brother guilty

Police today cleared JMM MLA and party's Giridih Lok Sabha candidate Jagannath Mahto of allegations in connection with the lynching of a youth at a people's court over a love affair in Bokaro district's Narah village last week.
They, however, held the MLA's brother Baijanth, already arrested in this case, responsible.
A five-member team declared Mahto innocent after questioning at least 50 villagers, including family members of the victim, who "denied" any role of the MLA in the incident, but accused his brother and others, SP Jitendra Singh told reporters here.
The team comprised DSP, SDPO, an inspector-rank police official and officers-in-charge of Nawadih and Chandrapura police stations, he said.

A team of police officers was set up to look into the matter after Chief Electoral Officer P K Jajoria had on March 25 asked Jharkhand police chief Rajeev Kumar to initiate a legal process against Mahto following a complaint it received in connection with the incident.
The same day Mahto's brother, Baijnath was arrested and the six others, who surrendered were sent to judicial custody.
The SP had said the family in the initial FIR had accused nine persons, including the MLA, for allegedly convening a 'jan adalat (people's court)' at Narah village where Santosh Pandey (22) was beaten up over a love affair. He later died in hospital.