PK meets family of Patna murder victim, alleges govt's 'criminal character' behind rise in crimes

Patna, Jul 16 (PTI) Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Thursday met the family of Bunty Yadav, who was allegedly abducted and murdered in Patna, and demanded swift justice. Kishor, who is contesting the Bankipur assembly bypoll, alleged that the state government's "criminal character" was responsible for an increase in incidents of crime. "The state government's criminal character has contributed to a rise in such incidents. The family members have demanded immediate arrest of those named in the FIR, departmental action against officers of Kotwali and Jakkanpur police stations for their alleged negligence, and compensation along with a job for an eligible member of the victim's family," he said. Bunty Yadav, 25, was allegedly abducted on July 6, and his decomposed body was recovered from the Athmalgola area of Patna district on July 12. Kishor alleged that the police had initially failed to cooperate with the victim's family despite their repeated pleas for help. "When I came here four to five days ago, the family members had staged a sit-in protest after the abduction. They withdrew it after the police assured them that Bunty would be found within two days. Later that evening, the family informed me that officials of Jakkanpur and Kotwali police stations did not cooperate with them," he claimed. He said the family learnt four days later that Bunty Yadav's body had been recovered from Athmalgola. Kishor also criticised the police for linking the victim to the illegal liquor trade after his death. "If the police believed he was involved in the illegal liquor trade, they should have acted against him earlier. If there was no case registered against him, the police have no right to make such allegations after his death," he said. Earlier in the day, Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma said the prime accused in the case was injured in an exchange of fire with police during an operation to arrest him. He said the kidnapping and murder appeared to be linked to a rivalry for supremacy between gangs involved in the illegal liquor trade. Five people have been arrested in connection with the case. PTI SUK SOM