Mafia Politician and Associates Arrested for Kidnapping Attempt and Assault

Strategic Insights -

Raghuraj Pratap Singh, a mafia-turned-politician and independent MLA, and 12 others were arrested on Sunday morning in connection with an alleged kidnapping attempt and assault on a BSP-backed candidate's supporters. The incident occurred in the Kunda constituency, 150 km from the state capital, where Raghuraj's men allegedly intercepted and assaulted the candidate's supporters, threatening them to withdraw their candidature. The accused, including Raghuraj's MLC cousin Akshay Pratap Singh and SP MP Shailendra Kumar, were produced in court and sent to judicial custody for 14 days.

Key Takeaways:

  • 13 people, including Raghuraj Pratap Singh and 12 others, were arrested for allegedly attempting to kidnap and murder a BSP-backed candidate in the block pramukh election.
  • The accused, including Raghuraj's MLC cousin Akshay Pratap Singh and SP MP Shailendra Kumar, were produced in court and sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
  • Eight of the 13 accused were produced in court, while the remaining five are still at large and are being searched by police.
  • The incident occurred in the Kunda constituency, 150 km from the state capital, where Raghuraj's men allegedly intercepted and assaulted the candidate's supporters.
  • The accused also fired several rounds in the air to scare away those who tried to come to the rescue of the candidate.
  • Leader of the opposition in UP assembly Shiv Pal Singh Yadav accused the BSP government of using state machinery to meet their political interests.
  • BSP state president Swami Prasad Maurya said that the arrested accused had taken the law in their hands and were trying to recreate an atmosphere of terror in the region.

Statistics:

  • 13 people are accused of attempting to kidnap and murder a BSP-backed candidate.
  • 8 of the 13 accused were produced in court and sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
  • 5 accused are still at large and are being searched by police.
  • The incident occurred in the Kunda constituency, 150 km from the state capital.
  • The accused fired several rounds in the air to scare away those who tried to come to the rescue of the candidate.

Sources:

  • TOI (Times of India), Pratapgarh, for first-hand information on the incident and arrests
  • BSP state president Swami Prasad Maurya, for comments on the incident and the BSP government's stance
  • Leader of the opposition in UP assembly Shiv Pal Singh Yadav, for accusations against the BSP government