Tej Pratap Yadav seeks protection for himself: My party’s ousted spokesperson is issuing death threats
An FIR registered at the Sachivalay police station in Patna on December 21 invokes charges of extortion, cheating, criminal intimidation and intentional harm for breach of peace under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD) president Tej Pratap Yadav has filed a police complaint against the party’s former national spokesperson Santosh Kumar Renu Yadav, accusing him of issuing death threats and using abusive language on social media after his expulsion from the party. Yadav has also written to Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Samrat Choudhary seeking enhanced security, citing a threat to his life.
An FIR registered at the Sachivalay police station in Patna on December 21 invokes charges of extortion, cheating, criminal intimidation and intentional harm for breach of peace under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
In his statement, Tej Pratap said Renu was appointed national spokesperson but was later “found to be acting against the party’s ideology”. He alleged that “Renu extorted money from people by promising jobs” and other favours. The complaint cites instances including allegations that money was taken online from a Motihari resident on the pretext of getting work done.
Yadav said: “The party leadership attempted to counsel Renu after the matter came to notice, but claimed he continued to mislead them.” The JJD’s central disciplinary committee subsequently expelled Renu from the party on December 14, through an expulsion order cited in the complaint.
According to Yadav, after the expulsion, Renu began posting videos and going live on platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, using “objectionable language” and “issuing threats”. “This is unacceptable under any circumstances,” Yadav said in the complaint, urging “prompt and strict action”.
Renu, however, has denied the allegations. In a social media video and subsequent posts, he termed the charges false and politically motivated, and said he fell out with Tej Pratap Yadav after “questioning certain decisions” and refusing to endorse the party leader’s version of an alleged incident involving the beating of a party worker.
Renu also said “he was accused of being aligned with the BJP after he expressed condolences over the death of the brother of a BJP leader”.
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“Because I kept asking questions, action was taken against me,” Renu said, alleging that “Tej Pratap Yadav and his brother Tejashwi Yadav do not allow other young leaders from the Yadav community to rise.”
He also sought police protection from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, citing a threat to his life.
The developments come weeks after Tej Pratap Yadav lost the recent Bihar Assembly election from Mahua following his expulsion from the RJD. None of the other 43 candidates fielded by his JJD won their seats.
On December 14, Yadav had publicly announced Renu’s expulsion in a post on X, alleging that Renu had taken “Rs 1.45 lakh from a Bihar Military Police havaldar by promising recruitment in the police”. The post said similar complaints had emerged from others and described the alleged acts as “unpardonable”.
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The party also removed Renu from his post as national president of an affiliated outfit, the Yaduvanshi Sena.
Samrat Choudhary, who also holds the home portfolio, acknowledged receiving Tej Pratap’s letter and told The Indian Express that the matter “is being looked into”.
Himanshu Harsh is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, currently leading on-the-ground coverage in Bihar. With a reporting career rooted in the complexities of the National Capital Region (NCR), Himanshu specializes in the critical intersection of law, crime, and civic governance.
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An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Himanshu brings a rigorous academic foundation to his investigative work. His expertise is characterized by a "ground-up" reporting style, most notably demonstrated during his extensive coverage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he analyzed shifting political landscapes and grassroots sentiment.
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Himanshu’s portfolio reflects versatility, allowing him to navigate diverse industries and social issues:
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Outside the newsroom, Himanshu’s deep engagement with technology and gaming informs his understanding of digital trends and the modern information economy. A trained DJ with a passion for music, his diverse personal interests contribute to a well-rounded perspective that resonates across both traditional and digital media platforms. ... Read More
