Bihar: Minister Kartikeya Singh, Accused In Kidnapping Case, Resigns Hours After Portfolio Change

Nitish Kumar shifted Singh from Law to Sugarcane ministry after the leader was booked in kidnapping charges in a 2014 case, was issued a warrant in the case by Danapur sub-divisional court.

Tainted Bihar minister Kartikeya Singh, alias Kartik Master, who was moved from the Ministry of Law to be the Sugarcane Industry Minister earlier in the day, resigned from his post Wednesday evening. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has accepted his resigantion and further sent it to Governor Phagu Chauhan, news agency ANI reported. 

Earlier in the day, Kumar shifted Singh from Law to Sugarcane ministry after the leader was booked in kidnapping charges in a 2014 case, was issued a warrant in the case by Danapur sub-divisional court.

Newly formed Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar had come under fire soon after Singh took the oath as a cabinet minister on August 16 despite Danapur sub-divisional court issuing a warrant against him. 

Several Opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar had cornered the Janata Dal United-led state government for making a tainted MLC as Law Minister. Some reports also suggest that Singh has neither surrendered before the court nor applied for anticipatory bail. 

After Singh was shifted to Sugarcane Ministry, Shamim Ahmed replaced him as the new Law Minister. Bihar Revenue Minister Alok Kumar Mehta given additional charge for the Sugarcane Industry Ministry.

Earlier this month, Singh's lawyer had claimed that the allegation levelled on him is baseless and there is no fact in it. "Our client Kartikeya Singh has not received any warrant or notice issued from the sub-divisional court till August 16. He is not a fugitive. He had filed anticipatory bail in the Patna High Court which asked him to go to the lower court and follow the direction," news agency IANS quoted Madhusudan Sharma, the lawyer of Singh as saying.

Even the Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, earlier this month, said that court's decision on Singh's case will be final, and his party will accept it.

"The BJP leaders have no issue to raise in the public. Hence, they are creating propaganda against our leaders. After the chief minister announced 20 lakh jobs, the leaders of BJP are facing an uncomfortable situation. We are focusing on work. The decision of the court will be the final and we will accept it. Based on the allegation of BJP, we will not take action against the minister," had Tejashwi said.

(With inputs from agencies.)