Bihar MP Pappu Yadav arrested in 1995 forgery case after midnight standoff

Patna: Independent Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav, was arrested late Friday by Patna Police from his residence in a 1995 forgery case, amid chaotic scenes involving supporters and allegations of foul play.

The arrest followed a court-issued property attachment warrant due to Yadav's repeated failure to appear for hearings. Complainant Vinod Bihari Lal accused the MP of fraudulently renting his Gardanibagh house by concealing its intended use as an MP's office.

A 50-strong police team arrived at Yadav's Mandiri home around 10:30pm, apprehending him at 12:15am despite his protests. “This is a conspiracy to kill me. I won’t go anywhere at night. The court had called me on Saturday. The Lok Sabha session was over and I arrived at Patna. I respect the court and will appear before the court at 11am on Saturday,” Yadav claimed, alleging an inspector arrived in civilian clothes armed with a revolver.

Supporters gathered outside, clashing with police and demanding warrants as slogans rang out against the administration. City SP Bhanu Pratap led the operation, later taking Yadav for a medical check at IGIMS before custody at Gardanibagh station.

"We are just doing our job. The law has been worked out according to what it is saying, the law has been fully complied with and further action is being taken," SP Pratap said, dismissing murder plot claims: " Police can go to arrest any person at any time. If there is a warrant or attachment in the name of someone, then arrest can be made at any time. Just a little bit of care."

The MP-MLA court had earlier issued arrest warrants and ads against Yadav and two others for fraudulent renting and threats. Yadav will be produced in court Saturday, with police awaiting further directions.