Jharkhand BJP MLA Gets 18-Month Jail Term For Freeing An Accused From Police Custody

As per the Representation of the People's Act, if an MP or MLA is convicted and given an over two-year sentence, he automatically ceases to be a legislator. But Mahto was saved as the prison term was less than two years.

Representational Picture (AFP)

Ranchi: A Bharatiya Janata Party legislator was awarded an 18-month jail sentence for helping an accused flee from police custody in 2013. BJP MLA Dhullo Mahto, a local strongman, was convicted today and sent to jail for one and a half years in jail by the Dhanbad district court. As per details available, the incident took place on May 12, 2013 when one Rajesh Gupta was arrested on the court's order. On learning about the arrest, Mahto along with his supporters reached the police station and confronted the policemen, attacked them and forcibly took Gupta away. The police had lodged an FIR against Mahto and five others. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate Court of Shikha Agrawal convicted Mahto and four others and acquitted one person. Reports say Mahto has several criminal cases lodged against him in Dhanbad. On Sunday an attempt to rape case was also registered against him. As per the Representation of the People's Act, if an MP or MLA is convicted and given an over two-year sentence, he automatically ceases to be a legislator. But Mahto was saved as the prison term was less than two years. (With additional information from IANS)