The Election Commission today ordered the removal of IG, Bhagalpur zone, N C Dhondiyal from his post and instituted an inquiry into the release of RJD candidate from Jamui, Vijay Prakash Yadav, who was arrested yesterday.Vijay was released on bail—though the charges were non-bailable—after his brother, Union Minister of State for Water Resources Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav, allegedly reached the police station last night and used his influence. The RJD candidate, and two others were arrested on the charge of carrying arms, ammunition, liquor and cash on polling day. The officer-in-charge of Kahira police station has been suspended for releasing Vijay. Although the EC cited other reasons for ordering the removal of the IG, sources said that it was due to the role he played in the release of Vijay, who was RJD MLA in the dissolved Assembly. Vijay and two others were arrested after a chase by the police yesterday. Jamui SP Arvind Kumar said that on polling day, they received complaints that Vijay and his supporters were intimidating voters and trying to capture booths. ‘‘When we spotted them, they tried to escape but were caught,’’ the SP said. The recovery made from the RJD candidate’s vehicle was incriminating: a rifle, live cartridges, an improvised explosive device, liquor bottles and more than Rs 6.5 lakh in cash. On learning about the release of Vijay, EC advisor K J Rao reached Jamui, met local people and ordered an inquiry. ADG Manoj Nath has been asked to file an inquiry report by tomorrow.Jurists on Bihar pollsNEW DELHI: Veteran jurists and eminent personalities have expressed shock at the ‘‘criminalisation of politics’’ in Bihar, reflected in the selection of tainted candidates. Voicing their opinion under the banner Transparency International India on Tuesday, jurists Fali S. Nariman, Soli Sorabjee and journalist B.G. Verghese expressed disappointment at the brazen nomination of tainted individuals by parties that are partners in the UPA and NDA.
