Pappu Yadav gets bail in forgery case, to stay in jail for separate case

Bail Granted in Decades-Old Forgery Case

Patna's MP/MLA court has finally granted bail to independent MP from Purnia, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, in a forgery case that dates back three decades to 1995.

The case, registered at Gardanibagh police station, involves serious allegations under the Indian Penal Code, including forgery of documents, cheating, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy. It stemmed from a complaint by Vinod Bihari Lal, who accused Yadav of fraudulently renting his house by hiding its intended use as an office.

Yadav's repeated failure to appear in court led to a warrant, culminating in his dramatic arrest on the night of February 6 from his residence in Patna's Buddha Colony area. The midnight operation sparked immediate controversy, with opposition voices labeling it as politically motivated.

Despite the bail approval on Tuesday, Yadav's release is not immediate, as he continues to face judicial custody in two other related matters.

Separate Cases Keep MP Behind Bars

While the primary forgery case saw relief, Pappu Yadav will stay lodged in Beur Central Jail owing to accusations in two fresh cases from Kotwali and Buddha Colony police stations.

These involve claims of obstructing government work and hindering police action during the arrest attempt last week. His lawyer, Shivnandan Bharti, has vehemently denied these charges, calling them a deliberate ploy by Patna police.

Bharti pointed out that Yadav had willingly offered himself for arrest upon seeing the warrant, yet police twisted the narrative to slap on obstruction charges.

The bail hearings for these cases were initially set for Wednesday but got pushed due to repeated hoax bomb threats at Patna Civil Court—three in four days, on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This led to suspensions in judicial proceedings, with the latest hearing rescheduled for Friday.

Bharti has raised alarms over what he sees as a pattern to prolong Yadav's incarceration through intentional delays.

Drama, Delays, and Allegations of Conspiracy

The saga unfolded with high drama right from the arrest. Police swooped in late Friday evening, but Yadav's camp alleges misconduct, including rough handling and a conspiracy to harm him.

Shortly after arrest, Yadav was rushed to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) citing health issues, where the court initially ordered two days of judicial custody under medical supervision.

However, he was discharged prematurely on Sunday and shifted to jail without adequate treatment, amid claims of chaos and service shortages at the hospital. Officials reportedly misbehaved, a point the court took seriously, promising action.

Yadav himself questioned these irregularities during the hearing, highlighting the shift from hospital to jail despite court orders.

"These cases were deliberately registered against my client after he offered himself for arrest. The police conspired to accuse him of obstruction, and there seems to be a strategy to delay hearings and keep him inside longer," said advocate Shivnandan Bharti.

Adding to the intrigue, Yadav linked his arrest timing to his outspoken criticism of the Bihar government over a medical aspirant's suspicious death in Patna, demanding probes into hostel safety.

He even claimed attempts on his life in jail through injections, underscoring the tense atmosphere.

What's Next for Pappu Yadav?

As Friday's hearings approach, all eyes are on whether Yadav can secure bail in the remaining cases. The repeated bomb hoaxes have not only disrupted court schedules but also drawn criticism for impacting police reputation and judicial efficiency.

Bharti urged an end to knee-jerk court closures over such threats, attributing them to anti-social elements.

Yadav's political supporters view the entire episode as vendetta for his vocal opposition stance, while authorities maintain it's enforcement of long-pending legal matters.

This development keeps the fiery MP, known for his bold interventions in Bihar politics, out of action for now, but his legal battles are far from over.

In summary, Pappu Yadav's bail in the 1995 forgery case marks partial victory amid ongoing custody in obstruction matters, marred by arrest drama, medical shifts, court delays from hoaxes, and conspiracy claims—leaving his immediate future uncertain.