(From left) Ram Kripal Yadav and Shakeel Ahmed Khan at the RJD news meet. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Jan. 8: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) today demanded CBI probe in the Rupam Pathak case, as Bihar police is not capable of handling the case.

Senior RJD leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan, RJD Rajya Sabha MP Ram Kripal Yadav and state unit party president Ram Chandra Purve jointly demanded CBI investigation as the state government would not maintain transparency in the investigation.

Khan said: “Many facts and truths are coming out in public, hampering the investigation.

The day Rupam stabbed the Purnea MLA Rajkishore Keshari, the same day deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi held the press conference and made an unacceptable remark about the woman, calling Rupam a blackmailer. Such a remark is influencing the investigation and he is trying to save his party MLA.”

He added: “Arresting the reporter in this case is again a black spot on the state government, the state police cannot carry out the investigation in a proper way. It would always be under suspicion. The BJP workers have sexually exploited her, which came to light when she filed a case of sexual exploitation in April 2010. Later, immense pressure was exerted on her to withdraw the case. I demand to know who was pressurising her, there might have been threat to her life as well. When Rupam filed the case earlier why did not the administration handle it properly.”

“Under the present circumstances, I can say that Modi was aware of all these facts. That’s why he is making such comments and harming the investigation process. Right from the outset, Modi is misguiding the case. Had Rupam’s case been handled properly in the beginning itself, Keshari would have been alive today,” said Khan.

Yadav said: “Taking the moral responsibility, I would advise Modi to resign because he does not have any right to occupy the post. He does not have any moral right to continue. As the case progresses, more facts and truths will come out, which will blacken the face of many senior leaders.”

He added: “We are shocked to see that even four days after the incident, the chief minister is sitting quietly. He must break his silence on the case and must sack his deputy. Nitish must clear his stand on the issue as the people of Bihar are watching him. Our party is keeping a close vigil on the whole issue and we will make sure that justice is delivered to the deserving people.”

“Modi is trying to bury the case and wants to suppress it,” said Yadav.

Security demand

The All India Mahila Sanskritik Sangathan and All India Democratic Students' Organisation today took out a march from Akashwani to Patna Junction, demanding adequate security for Rupam Pathak, the school principal who killed BJP MLA Rajkishore Keshari. They also demanded a probe into the incident by an indepen- dent agency instead of Bihar police.

Addressing the gathering, the secretary of All India Mahila Sanskritik Sangathan, Sadhna Mishra, said on one hand, the Bihar government talks about women empowerment and on the other, its MLAs exploit women.

“I accuse him of influencing the case, intervening in the case and also charge him with intervening previously in many cases. Our party will take the issue in broader perspective. With this regard, a group of Patna High Court members have formed a committee to provide legal help to Rupam. You tell me what went on her mind that an educated and sincere woman stabbed him? There must be a solid reason behind it and there are big names involved in the case,” stressed Khan.