Rocky Yadav arrested in road rage murder, JD(U) MLC suspended

Faced with criticism, the ruling JD(U) suspended Manorama Devi for a period of six years

JD(U) MLC Manorama Devi's son Rakesh Ranjan Yadav alias Rocky Yadav, who allegedly shot dead a 20-year-old youth for overtaking his vehicle in Bihar, was arrested in the wee hours today, three days after the road rage incident that sparked an outrage.

As the Nitish Kumar government faced criticism over the crime and faced calls for action against the MLC for allegedly protecting her absconding son, the ruling JD(U) suspended her from the party for six years.

"The party has suspended Manorama Devi for six years," state JD(U) President Basistha Narayan Singh said. He said the action was prompted after the alleged recovery of 18 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor from her Gaya house during a police raid last night in the hunt for her son.

Rocky Yadav, who was absconding since the incident on Saturday night, was arrested at around 3 a.m from his father's mixer plant in Bodh Gaya police station area, police said, adding they have also recovered the weapon used to kill Adiyta Sachdev.

He was sent to judicial custody for 14 days by a local court. Significantly, the police did not get Rocky for his custodial interrogation.

In-charge chief judicial magistrate Sanjay Kymar Jha remanded Rocky in judicial custody when he was produced by the police and was later taken to Gaya central jail.

Aditya's mother has demanded speedy trial and capital punishment for Rocky Yadav.

"The main accused Rocky Yadav was arrested from his father Bindi Yadav's mixer plant located at Mastpura village of Bodh Gaya Police Station of Gaya district. Rocky was arrested along with the weapon (Bretta pistol) used in the crime," SSP Garima Mallik.

Mallik claimed that Rocky, who was produced before mediapersons at a press conference with a mask on his face, had admitted to his crime in a statement.

However, minutes later Rocky Yadav pleaded innocence and denied that he had fired at the victim, saying he was in Delhi.

"I was in Delhi...When my mother called me I came and presented myself before the SSP... I did not open fire," Rocky Yadav said.

"I'll tell everything in the court," he said.

To a query whether Rocky has surrendered or was arrested, Mallik said, "It is definitely an arrest."

Aditya Sachdeva was shot dead allegedly by Rocky Yadav for overtaking his vehicle near police lines in Gaya district on Saturday night.

Rocky's father Bindi Yadav, known in the area for his muscle and money power, and Manorama Devi's bodyguard Rajesh Kumar were arrested on Sunday for allegedly helping the accused escape.

The SSP said that the license of the pistol had been issued in the name of Rocky Yadav from Delhi and the vehicle had also been registered in his name.

The police had conducted searches at the residence of Manorama Devi in Gaya during which 18 bottles of liquor were allegedly found. An FIR would be lodged in this connection against Bindi Yadav and Rocky Yadav, police said.

Asked whether there was any political pressure on police, Mallik said, "There was no pressure on the police except moral and professional pressure of arresting the main accused at the earliest." The police have promised speedy trial.