Woman kills Bihar MLA after accusing him of sexual assault

Police sources have said the woman,schoolteacher Rupam Pathak,was in the crowd of constituency people who had gathered to meet the MLA at his Sipahi Tola home on Tuesday morning.

When she came near him,Pathak took out a knife and attacked Kesri. She stabbed him repeatedly,the police said. The 51-year-old’s spleen burst which led to his instant death,the police said.

Pathak,who runs a school in the district town,alleged six months ago that Kesri and one of his supporters had sexually assaulted her for two years.

The MLA had rebutted Pathak’s charges calling it a political conspiracy. The MLA had inaugurated Pathak’s school but later fallen out with her.

She,however,withdrew the charges months before the Bihar Assembly elections. Four-time MLA Kesri retained his Purnia constituency in the recent polls.

Bihar Director General of Police Neelmani said: “The knife perforated the MLA’s spleen. He died on the way to the hospital.”

The accused has been arrested. It is learnt she was beaten up by the MLA’s guards and some of those present after the attack. Her condition is stated to be critical.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has condemned the killing and asked DGP Neelmani to step up the security of legislators.

He also ordered the DGP to constitute a high-level probe team and ensure that people who meet legislators are regularly frisked.

Kumar asked Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi to rush to the spot immediately and said the cremation would take place with full state honours.

The chief minister also appealed to the people and supporters of Kesri in Purnia to maintain peace as the guilty would soon be brought to justice.

State BJP president C P Thakur condemned the killing and said the case must be probed thoroughly.

“We will like a thorough probe into the incident,” Thakur said.

He said,”In his death,we have lost a young and dedicated soldier of the BJP… we pray God gives enough strength to Kesri’s family and his followers to tide over the grief.”

DIG Purnea will probe the murder.

Condemning the killing of his party MLA,Sushil Modi said the matter was being thoroughly probed.

“All aspects involved in the incident will be looked into in the course of inquiry,” he said before leaving for Purnia.

Describing Kesri as “a popular leader”,he said the incident should not not be linked to law and order.

“The probe will establish the mental condition of the woman involved in the attack,” Modi said.

Condemning Kesri’s killing,RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav said,”Killing of an MLA is a shame and it tarnishes the image of a state… it will be better if proper steps are take to prevent such incidents.”

“I strongly condemn the incident… police should undertake a thorough probe,” Yadav said.

He said even the complaint of the woman,who killed the MLA,should be inquired into.

Prasad suggested the state government take immediate steps to ensure proper security of MLAs and some distance be maintained when visitors meet public representatives.

RJD Secretary General Ramkripal Yadav also condemned the killing and said: “In his death,I have lost a close friend.”

State Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra has demanded a high-level probe into the incident.

(With agency inputs)