Minister’s son pleads innocence

PATNA: Former building construction and social welfare minister

Damodar Rawat

’s son Rajiv Rawat, who has been suspended from the JD (U) over his alleged links with Muzaffarpur shelter home rape accused Brajesh Thakur, has claimed his name was falsely being dragged in the scandal.

Through a Facebook post on Monday, Rajiv claimed he never went to Muzaffarpur. “The photographs being circulated since Sunday are of a hotel at Jamshedpur, where I had gone to attend a friend’s wedding. I had posted these photographs on my Facebook account on April 29 and 30, 2017, which are still on the page. I have never actually gone to Muzaffarpur nor do I know any person with whom my links are being reported in the media,” Rajiv said.

He claimed the JD (U) suspended him from the party apparently on the basis of media reports. “I hope the ongoing probe (into the Muzaffarpur shelter home case) will make things clear,” he said and reiterated his “devotion for the party”.

Rajiv was removed from the post of the the state general secretary of JD (U) youth wing on Saturday.

The RJD has been repeatedly demanding action against Damodar. “Nitish Ji, when are you expelling your cabinet colleague for 10 years and vice-president of JD (U) in connection with Brajesh Thakur? If his son has been suspended, then why is he spared? What relation your party JD (U) shares with main culprit of Muzaffarpur shelter home case? Where is morality?” RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav tweeted.

Tejashwi has also been demanding the resignation of urban development and housing department minister Suresh Kumar Sharma. Sharma, on the other hand, told reporters in Delhi on Monday he would file a libel suit against Tejashwi for “falsely” dragging his name in the sex scandal.

“I have already served a legal notice on Tejashwi. He has not replied to it. He continues to make the false allegations only because I am Muzaffarpur MLA. I will now file a defamation case against him,” Sharma said.