
A fast track court in Madhubani today awarded life imprisonment to Samajwadi Party MLA Deonath Yadav and 27 others in connection with a 1992 murder case.
The conviction of the Phulparas MLA in the case is the result of a speedy trial drive launched by the Bihar police after the Nitish Kumar government came to power. This is the first time an MLA has been convicted since the drive began in January.
The SP MLA and his supporters were accused of lynching Congress leader Surendra Yadav. Deonath was accused along with his three brothers and guard in the case. Two persons were exonerated by the fast track court.
The drive launched by the state police plans to catch up with politicians with criminal antecedents. Names of Siwan RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, LJP MLA Surajbhan and JDU MLA Sunil Pandey figure in the list. LJP MP from Balia Surajbhan has started feeling the heat after an Arms Act case against him was re-opened. The Patna HC wants the trial completed in 45 days while a special court has been set up inside Siwan jail to try cases against RJD MP Shahabuddin.