Fired Uttar Pradesh minister held on murder charge

Lucknow: Former Uttar Pradesh minister Jamuna Nishad was arrested here on Tuesday while on his way to meet Chief Minister Mayawati three days after he allegedly led a protesting mob that killed a policeman leading to his own ouster from the government.

Nishad was taken into custody after police intercepted his car at the main city square at Hazratganj area. He was charged with several offences including murder, causing public nuisance and illegal possession of arms.

He was on his way to attend a meeting of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) at Mayawati's official residence.

Police produced Nishad before the court of the chief judicial magistrate which granted a transit remand to produce him in the Maharajganj sessions court - as the alleged crime had taken place in Maharajganj district of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

A legislator from Pipraich in Gorakhpur district who served as minister of state for fisheries, Nishad is accused of leading a mob to the Maharajganj police station on Saturday night when one of his supporters shot dead constable Krishnanand Rai.

The slain man had come out to see what the commotion was all about when he was hit by a bullet and collapsed. He died in a hospital.

He was survived by his wife Rambha and two young daughters, Dipika and Supriya. The next day, Mayawati asked Nishad to resign from her government.

"The arrest is the result of police investigation. Twelve people from Maharajganj and adjoining towns have already been arrested," Director General of Police Vikram Singh told reporters.

Asked about the magisterial inquiry ordered by the chief minister in the incident, Singh said: "We have arrested Nishad on the basis of police inquiry, the magisterial probe is separate."

Asked about the need for a second probe when the police were investigating the case, Singh read from a statement issued by Mayawati after the minister was asked to resign.

"Jungle law would not be tolerated and a criminal will be punished if found guilty irrespective of his caste, creed, social stature or political party," the chief minister had said.