Suraj Bhan gets life sentence

LJP MP from Balia Suraj Singh alias Suraj Bhan was on Wednesday sentenced to life by a Begusarai fast-track court. Judge R P Dubey on Tuesday had held the MP and his associates, Jay Ram and Radhe Singh, guilty of murdering a Madurapur farmer, Rami Singh, on January 16, 1992. The fast track court-IV also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 each.

Suraj Bhan is the third sitting Bihar MP to get a life sentence after Mohammed Shahabuddin and Pappu Yadav, both from the RJD. He was brought to the court premises from Begusarai jail amidst tight security. He was accompanied by a few local LJP workers.

The MP said outside the court: 8220;I am unhappy with the judgement. I know my political detractors wanted to see me in this situation.8221; He, however, did not name anyone. His lawyer Mansoor Alam said they would appeal before the Patna High Court.

Suraj Bhan still faces 30 other criminal charges, including murder, extortion, kidnapping, looting and for possessing firearms under Arms Act.