Gaya, Dec. 17: Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi today alleged that Gaya police had framed Tilkut trader Dhirendra Kesriin a false case.

He also said that RJD MLA Surendra Yadav and his bodyguards, the real perpetrators of the crime, were moving about freely. 'How does purchasing tilkut for an MLA become a government duty?' Modi asked, adding: 'The MLA and his bodyguards were buying tilkut from the shopkeeper. How can the shopkeeper indulge in stealing from his own shop?'

There had been a quarrel between the MLA, his bodyguards and the shopkeeper on Tekari Road on Sunday in which the shopkeeper allegedly hurt the MLA and his bodyguards. The RJD-JDU and Congress had observed a Gaya bandh on Monday. Police subsequently nabbed Kesri. The court remanded Kesri in jail.

Traders in Gayahave calledbandh on Friday to protest the arrest of Kesri. 'BJP would extend support to the bandh,' Modi said.

Modi today met Kesri alias GayaCentral Jail. Dhirendra was forwarded tojail on Monday after he was arrested around 11pm on Sunday on charges of attack on the MLA.

Modi said he would raise the issue in the Assembly session beginning December 19.

According to Kesri, he asked the bodyguard of the MLA to wait as the anarsa (local sweet) was being fried. Hearing this, the bodyguard slapped him. In return, he also slapped the bodyguard. After that the three bodyguards brought batons from the vehicle and started beating him up. 'The MLA too came to his shop to intervene. It was drizzling and the floor was oily. Kesri and the MLA slipped on the ground. How boiling oil or molten sugar was sprinkled on the face of the MLA, I do not know,' Modi quoted Kesri as saying.

Modi also addressed a dharna being staged at Ambedkar Park opposite the collectorate that was led byGayatown BJP MLA Prem Kumar.