The Uttar Pradesh police registered a fresh case of dacoity on Saturday against independent legislator Raghuraj Pratap Singh aka Raja Bhaiya, who spearheaded a revolt against the Mayawati government in the state, even as a Sultanpur court issued arrest warrants against him and eight of his supporters in a murder case.
The police in Kunda, Singh's hometown, registered a case of dacoity and house-grabbing against him, his father Udai Pratap Singh, and his supporters on a complaint by one Beni Madhav Vishkarma of Sujauli village. Vishkarma alleged that they had demolished his house on October 27 after forcing him to leave it, police said.
Meanwhile, a Sultanpur court issued arrest warrants against Raja Bhaiya and eight of his supporters, including Akshay Pratap Singh, member of the legislative council, and independent legislator Ramnath Saraj, in connection with the murder of one Ramanand on August 24.
Raja Bhaiya is already in jail for allegedly threatening Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Puran Singh Bundela.
About two years ago, Raja Bhaiya's supporters forcibly seized Ramanand's house in Kunda, evicted his family members, and killed him, according to the police.
Ramanand's mother, Sushila Pandey, failed to register a case allegedly because of Raja Bhaiya's influence. The legislator from Kunda was a minister at that time in the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh.
Following the dissidence drama in the state last month, in which Raghuraj Pratap played an active role, the case was opened and police filed a charge sheet leading to the issue of arrest warrants on Friday.