Independent MP Pappu Yadav Remanded in Judicial Custody for 14 Days in Decades-Old Forgery Case
Patna: In a significant legal development, independent Member of Parliament from Purnia, Rajesh Ranjan, widely known as Pappu Yadav, has been remanded in judicial custody for a period of fourteen days by a Patna court. This decision follows his dramatic arrest in connection with a nearly three-decade-old case involving allegations of fraudulent renting of a room, a matter that has resurfaced with intense political implications.
Court Proceedings and Health Concerns
The MP was transported to the Patna civil court via ambulance on Saturday morning and presented before the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate-I-cum-Special Judge (MP/MLA) Praveen Kumar Malviya. The court has scheduled a hearing for his bail plea on Monday, February 9. Until that time, Yadav will remain under medical treatment at Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) due to health complications that arose following his arrest.
During the court appearance, his legal team highlighted his deteriorating health condition, which prompted the judge to order his transfer to PMCH under judicial supervision rather than incarceration in jail. This move underscores the seriousness of his medical situation, which includes complaints of severe headache and palpitations.
Background of the 1995 Forgery Case
The case traces its origins back to 1995, when it was initially registered at the Gardanibagh police station under various sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to forgery. The complainant alleged that his house was deceptively rented out for residential purposes but was later converted into a political office, sparking a prolonged and contentious dispute.
Over the years, the matter languished under judicial consideration, with the MP-MLA court recently taking decisive action by ordering the attachment of the property due to non-appearance by the accused. This was followed by the issuance of a non-bailable warrant, setting the stage for the current arrest.
Arrest and Allegations of Political Motivation
Police executed the warrant late on Friday night at Yadav's Mandiri residence, following a nearly three-hour standoff. The arrest occurred shortly after he returned to Patna from Delhi, where he had attended a Lok Sabha session. A substantial police contingent, including five Deputy Superintendents of Police, teams from six police stations, and officers in plain clothes, descended upon his residence to present the warrant.
Yadav has vehemently contested the arrest, claiming that only documents related to property attachment were shown to him and alleging that the entire action is politically motivated. His legal representative, Advocate Shivnandan Bharti, has raised questions about police conduct during the arrest and highlighted the timing, noting that Yadav's bail was cancelled in July 2025 and the warrant had remained pending since then.
Health Complications and Hospitalization
During the arrest, the MP fainted and sustained injuries, necessitating immediate medical attention. He was initially shifted to Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences before being transferred to PMCH on Saturday morning on a stretcher. His health issues have added a layer of complexity to the legal proceedings, with the court taking cognizance of his condition in its custody order.
Political Context and Recent Activism
Pappu Yadav has recently been an outspoken critic regarding the suspicious death of a medical aspirant in a Patna girls' hostel. He has alleged foul play, possible sexual assault, a cover-up, and government inaction in the matter. Raising the issue in Parliament, he demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe, which has led opposition leaders to characterize his arrest as an act of political vendetta.
Following the arrest, Yadav's team took to social media platform X to post defiant messages. One post stated, "Well done, Bihar Police. I fought the battle for justice for the NEET student girl… Send me to jail or hang, Pappu will not stop." Another emphasized, "Name is Pappu Yadav. Not to be feared, but to fight. For justice — that’s the name!"
Police Response and Legal Justifications
In response to allegations of political motivation, police authorities have firmly rejected such claims, asserting that the action was strictly in accordance with court orders. Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K Sharma clarified, "The attachment order was issued by the court on February 2 and received by police on February 4. The case is under trial, and he was not appearing."
City Superintendent of Police (West) Bhanu Pratap Singh reinforced this stance, stating, "The case dates back to 1995. The trial is in progress and the MP was required to appear in court but failed to do so. Therefore, he was arrested."
Legal Proceedings and Future Outlook
Advocate Bharti has confirmed that Yadav's bail application will be heard on Monday, and he has alleged questionable police conduct during the arrest. Additionally, a fresh First Information Report has been lodged accusing Yadav of obstructing police duty, a move that his legal team questions as unnecessary and politically timed.
As the legal battle unfolds, the case highlights the intricate interplay between law, politics, and health concerns. With Yadav remanded in judicial custody until February 21 and under medical care, all eyes are now on the upcoming bail hearing and the broader implications for political accountability and judicial processes in Bihar.
