Are Rahul and Priyanka Targeting NDA Over Pappu Yadav's Arrest?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Patna, Feb 7 (NationPress) Following the arrest of Purnea Lok Sabha MP Rajesh Ranjan, known as Pappu Yadav, in a case dating back 31 years, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, along with his sister, MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has launched a fierce critique against the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government.
They have accused the government of having deep-seated systemic collusion in the management of the NEET aspirant’s death case in Bihar.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi asserted that the circumstances surrounding the suspicious death of the NEET aspirant in Patna and the subsequent investigation have exposed significant collusion within the system.
“When the victim’s family sought an unbiased inquiry and justice, the familiar BJP-NDA model reemerged—divert the case, intimidate the family, and shield the wrongdoers,” Gandhi stated.
Supporting Pappu Yadav, Rahul claimed the MP has consistently championed justice, labeling his arrest as a politically motivated act.
“Fellow MP Pappu Yadav has been a steadfast advocate for justice for this young woman. His arrest is evidently a political vendetta aimed at silencing every voice that demands accountability,” he remarked.
He further expressed concern that this incident seems to form part of a troubling trend.
“The most alarming aspect is that this appears not to be an isolated incident. It suggests a perilous conspiracy, where more young women are falling victim while those in power choose to ignore the issue,” he mentioned, emphasizing, “This transcends politics; it is about justice and the dignity and safety of a daughter of Bihar.”
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also condemned the arrest and the management of the case. Describing the rape and murder of a NEET aspirant in a Patna hostel as “absolutely shocking,” she noted that the government's actions have fueled suspicion at every level.
“From the filing of the FIR to the investigation and actions taken, everything has been rendered suspect. Who is being protected by all this?” she inquired, drawing comparisons to cases like Hathras, Unnao, and Ankita Bhandari.
“The arrest of MP Pappu Yadav, who spoke out in this case, is merely another link in a chain of insensitivity. The agenda of the BJP and its allies is evident—they align with injustice and oppression,” Priyanka Gandhi asserted.
Pappu Yadav was taken into custody late Friday night at his Mandiri residence in Patna, leading to dramatic scenes as his supporters gathered at the location. A brief altercation occurred between police and supporters during the enforcement of court orders.
As per official reports, the MP-MLA Special Court had recently ordered the attachment of properties belonging to three accused individuals—Pappu Yadav, Shailendra Prasad, and Chandra Narayan Prasad—in relation to a three-decade-old case involving fraudulent property rentals and threats.
Pappu Yadav has been vocal about the NEET aspirant’s death case, regularly visiting Jehanabad to meet with the victim’s family and publicly questioning the police inquiry.
Although the Bihar Police established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of an Inspector General, the case remains unresolved and has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has yet to officially commence its investigation in Bihar.
The victim’s family has reported ongoing pressure from the Bihar Police and voiced dissatisfaction even after meetings with Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar and Home Minister Samrat Choudhary.
Reports from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and post-mortem findings have indicated that sexual assault cannot be ruled out. The FSL report confirmed the presence of semen on the deceased’s undergarments, intensifying calls for a thorough and objective investigation.