Bihar MP Pappu Yadav arrested in 31-year-old land forgery case

Purnea Member of Parliament Pappu Yadav was arrested late Friday night from the Buddha Colony police station area in Patna in connection with a 31-year-old criminal case. A police team led by SP City Bhanu Pratap Singh and SSP Kartikeya Sharma reached his Mandiri residence with personnel from five police stations to carry out the arrest, triggering protests by his supporters.

According to officials, Pappu Yadav had returned to Patna from Delhi shortly before the police arrived at his house. Police said they showed the arrest warrant and proceeded with the action, while Yadav initially resisted and stated that he would appear before the court on Saturday morning. The situation escalated as his supporters raised slogans, leading to heated arguments between them and the police. Before being taken into custody, Pappu Yadav alleged that the arrest was part of a political conspiracy. Speaking to the media, he claimed he was being targeted for recently criticising the government over the death of a NEET student in Patna and issues related to a girls’ hostel. He also cited health concerns and expressed fear that something untoward could happen to him, insisting that he be taken directly to court instead of a police station.

The arrest is linked to a case registered in 1995 at Gardanibagh police station in Patna. The complainant, landlord Vinod Bihari Lal, had accused Yadav of fraudulently renting a house for personal use and later converting it into a political office, leading to a dispute. The charges include cheating, forgery, trespassing, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, now corresponding to provisions in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.