Cops announce reward for info on J-K BJP leader's brother evading arrest

The Jammu and Kashmir Police has announced reward for information leading to the arrest of Rajinder Singh -- the younger brother of BJP leader and former minister Choudhary Lal Singh -- who was purportedly caught in a tape using derogatory words against Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti during a rally in Kathua district.

In an advertisement in a leading English daily here, the district police requested people for information which might lead to the arrest of the accused and said the identity of the informer will not be disclosed and he or she will be rewarded suitably.

On May 21, an FIR was registered against Singh, alias Babby, after a video purportedly showing him using derogatory language against the chief minister went viral. He made the alleged remarks during a rally, organised by his brother a day earlier from Lakhanpur to Hiranagar to press for a CBI inquiry into the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year- old girl in Kathua.

Singh faces charges under Section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Ranbir Penal Code and Sections 66/67 of the Information Technology Act.

Since the case is important in nature and accused person is evading arrest, as such photograph/particulars of accused are being circulated with the appeal that anybody having any information about his whereabouts may contact us, it said.