RJD claims ‘killer’ SUV belongs to BJP leader

MUZAFFARPUR: Leader of Opposition in the Bihar assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Sunday said that the sports utility vehicle (SUV) that killed nine schoolchildren on Saturday belonged to a leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Yadav demanded stern action against those responsible for the deaths at Dharampur village in Meenapur block of Muzaffarpur district.

“The Nitish Kumar-led government is trying to save the culprit, Manoj Baitha, as he is an active member of the ruling coalition partner, the BJP,” he said.

The BJP, however, rejected the allegations. “Baitha is neither a party worker nor our leader,” said Ramsurat Rai, president of the party’s district unit.

Meanwhile, Meenapur police have registered a case against the vehicle’s owner. “We are trying to ascertain their names,” said station house officer of Meenapur station, Sona Prasad Singh. He said that the speeding vehicle, a Bolero, that hit and killed the schoolchildren, belonged to Baitha, a BJP leader from Sitamarhi district.

Police are looking into information that Baitha was present in the vehicle at the time of the accident and later fled with his driver. “The vehicle has a BJP board attached to it with Baitha’s name inscribed on it,” the SHO said. District transport officer Nazir Ahmad said the vehicle was registered (number BR06PA7084) on September 21, 2010, in the name of Manoj Baitha of Sitamarhi.

Saturday’s accident took place near a school on National Highway 77. Locals had vandalised the school, beat up teachers and set furniture on fire.

Attempts to reach Baitha for comment failed. His phone was switched off.