Uttar Pradesh stand sought on ex-minister’s bail plea

NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court Monday sought the Uttar Pradesh government’s stand on the bail plea of former minister Jamuna Nishad, of the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), who is in jail for his alleged role in the murder of a police constable.

A bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice Deepak Verma sought the stand of the Uttar Pradesh government and the state police, issuing them notices on the bail plea of Nishad, who is in jail since June 2008.

Senior counsel Mukul Rohatagi appearing for Nishad contended that the former minister was not personally involved in the crime, but is alleged to have instigated a mob that laid siege to a police station at Maharajganj and one from the crowd shot dead the constable.

Rohtagi said the police have already completed their probe and filed a charge sheet in the court. He said there were 18 other accused in the case and all but Nishad have been granted bail.

Rohtagi pleaded for bail for Nishad.

Nishad was sacked from the Mayawati cabinet on June 8, 2008, after the police constable was killed in alleged firing by his supporters in Maharajganj district.

The firing took place when angry villagers ransacked the police station, demanding action against the Maharajganj station house officer (SHO) for ’shielding’ an accused in the rape of a girl belonging the Nishad (a Dalit) community.

Nishad was arrested on June 10, 2008, and is in jail since then.