Not on the run, will surrender on March 5, says BJP MLA
BJP MLA from Ichagarh, Sadhu Charan Mahato, accused of thrashing a district land accusation officer, has said he was not absconding and would surrender before police on March 5.
The statement came after Seraikela-Kharsawan police on Monday morning raided the MLA’s Sridungri-based residence at Adityapur in connection with an FIR lodged against him for beating up district land acquisition officer Deepu Kumar at Raghnathpur village in Nimdih on last Thursday.
“I have not gone underground. I am not in town at present, and will come back on March 4. I will hand myself over to the police on March 5. I am ready to face consequences, let alone arresting, for fighting for my people. I request police not to harass my family and also act on the FIR against Deepu Kumar for casteist slur lodged by Madan Singh Sardar and Gram Pradhan Badyanath Mahato,” the MLA told the media late on Monday night.
Mahato, however, could not be contacted as all his three mobile
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phones were found switched off. His father Harmohan Mahato said his son had left the house on February 25 and has not returned ever since.
“We have not been able to arrest the accused MLA but raids are on to nab him. We are keeping an eye on his residence and he will be arrested soon,” said Chandan Sinha, Seraikela-Kharsawan superintendent of police. Asked if any action has been taken on the FIR against Deepu Kumar, the SP said they were investigating the matter but have so far got no evidence to that effect.
Meanwhile, officers under the banner of Jharkhand Administrative Service Association have threatened to go for an indefinite strike, if the accused MLA is not arrested by Wednesday.