Laloo, Rabri shamed into dropping minister

Laloo, Rabri shamed into dropping minister
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

PATNA, JULY 10: Giving in to public outrage and what sources say pressure from the Congress central leadership in New Delhi, Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi had little option but to recommend the dismissal of Minister of State for Cooperatives Lalit Yadav, accused of torturing two Dalits. The Minister was sacked after the Governor accepted the recommendation today.

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Laloo Yadav was reportedly not in favour of strong action against the Minister who is known to be a close associate of Laloo's brother-in-law, Sadhu Yadav. But a telephone call from a senior Congress leader in Delhi to Laloo last night is learnt to have done the trick.

The Congress leader conveyed to Laloo that party president Sonia Gandhi herself wanted the controversial minister to be dropped from the Cabinet, leaving the RJD chief with no choice.

Speaking on behalf of the state government, Water Resources Minister Jagdanand Singh said that the CM took immediate action after a report that the Minister had confined truck driver Dinanath Baitha and helper Karu Ram inside his official residence and subjected them to torture.

Singh said Rabri Devi had asked Chief Secretary V S Dubey and Home Commissioner U N Panjiar to inquire into the incident and report to her immediately.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today sought a report from the Bihar government and the State DGP on the case and asked why monetary compensation should not be given to the victims. The commission has asked for a report within two weeks.