Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Jul 26: Jan Shakti Janata Dal (JSJD) chief Tej Pratap Yadav has been remanded to 14 days' judicial custody following his arrest during the Bihar Bandh protests over the alleged NEET paper leak.
Patna Police arrested Yadav, the elder son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, from a mall near Dak Bungalow Chauraha on Saturday evening and took him to Digha Police Station. He was later produced before a judicial magistrate, who remanded him to judicial custody. Following the court's order, he was shifted to Beur Central Jail, where he will remain for the next 14 days.
The arrest came after clashes broke out between police and protesters during the Bihar Bandh, which was called by several opposition parties and social organisations over the alleged NEET paper leak and the recent police action against student protesters in Delhi.
During the protest, demonstrators demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and allegedly vandalised police vehicles, prompting heightened police deployment across several parts of Patna.
Earlier in the day, Tej Pratap Yadav joined the protesters at Ram Gulam Chowk in Patna to express solidarity with students demanding action over the alleged paper leak. He was later detained by police, and an FIR was registered against him at Gandhi Maidan Police Station.
Speaking before his arrest, Yadav supported the student movement and urged the government to address their demands.
"The children's demands are legitimate. The government must fulfil them, and we stand firmly with them. I am ready to lay down my life for the students and youth," he told reporters.
Yadav's counsel, Jagannath Singh, said a bail petition will be filed on Monday seeking his release.
Meanwhile, JSJD's Bankipur by-election candidate Veena Manvi questioned the arrest, alleging that the police had not disclosed the grounds for Yadav's detention. She said participating in a protest was not a crime and sought clarity on the action taken against the party chief.