Ranchi, March 25 (IANS): The Election Commission (EC) Tuesday took a strong stand on a complaint against ruling JMM's candidate from Giridih Lok Sabha constituency, Jagannath Mahto, who is an accused in a murder case.

"We received a complaint against the JMM candidate from Giridih that police were taking no action against him in a murder case. We have forwarded the letter to state police chief for suitable action," Jharkhand Chief Election Officer P.K. Jajoria told news channels.

Last week, a youth Santosh Pandey was beaten to death in Bermo of Bokaro district. There were nine accused in the murder, including JMM legislator Mahto.

Mahto's brother Baijnath, one of the accused, was arrested Tuesday from Nawadih of Bokaro district and sent to judicial custody. Of the nine accused, seven are in jail.

According to police, Jagannath held a kangaroo court March 20 and allegedly ordered Pandey's killing for being in love with a girl of another caste.

Pandey had eloped with the girl March 8 and the duo was brought back allegedly on the instruction of the legislator.