Controversial RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav, accused of raping a minor girl last month, was today remanded in two days' police custody by a Nalanda district court, a day after he surrendered.
Additional District Judge Rashmi Sikha, before whom Yadav surrendered yesterday in the rape case of a 15-year-old girl, passed the order.
The police had sought three days custody for the interrogation of the 50-year-old MLA of Nawada.
The judge also directed the police to ensure medical examination of the accused MLA before and after taking him in their custody.
The RJD MLA had yesterday surrendered before the court after remaining in hiding for over a month.
Yadav, who had served as a minister in the government of Rabri Devi, was eluding police for the past one month.
The MLA's episode triggered widespread condemnation for the grand secular government headed by Nitish Kumar.
Yadav had allegedly raped the girl who was lured by a woman to the MLA's residence here on February 6. Yadav had allegedly paid Rs 30,000 to the woman for bringing the girl.
It was reported that the MLA had prepared a CD of the obscene act and had threatened to hand it over to his security guards if she resisted rape.
The MLA was denied anticipatory bail by both Nalanda district court as well the Patna High Court.
The court of ADJ Rashmi Sikha had given permission for attachment of properties of the fugitive MLA in Nalanda, Nawada and Patna, which was carried out by police.
The RJD has put him under suspension.
Bhardwaj was arrested by a police team from Sonipat on
July 26. He was questioned for several hours in connection with the suicide of the woman, along with Chauhan.
The woman had consumed a poisonous substance at her home in north-west Delhi's Narela area and died during treatment at LNJP Hospital on July 19.
She had filed a complaint against Bhardwaj for allegedly touching her inappropriately and a case of molestation was registered in June. The accused was arrested and later released on bail.
On July 20, Delhi Police had registered a case of abetment to suicide and handed over the entire matter to a special investigation team.
The family members of the woman had claimed that she had gone into depression after her alleged molester Bhardwaj, an AAP colleague, was released on bail.
She had also alleged that the accused was being protected by the local AAP MLA.
The woman in a video recording had levelled serious allegations against Bhardwaj, accusing him of pressuring her to "compromise" if she wanted to rise in the party. He had allegedly claimed himself to be "close" to the local party MLA.
