Journalist held in Bihar BJP MLA murder case

Purnia: The editor of a local weekly, which had first reported the sexual harassment complaint of Rupam Pathak who stabbed to death in full public view BJP MLA Kishore Keshari, was on Thursday arrested after an FIR was lodged

against him and the woman.

Keshari's nephew Sudip Keshari lodged an FIR with the K-Hat police station against Rupam Pathak, Navlesh Pathak, editor of an English weekly and an unknown person on Wednesday night, DIG (Purnia range) Amit Kumar said.

Police then arrested Navlesh Pathak from his residence and subjected him to a marathon grilling in the case, the DIG said.

He said the police is yet to identify the third person in the FIR.

Pathak, editor of English weekly 'Quisling', had for the first time reported the sexual harassment complaint of Rupam some months back.

Meanwhile, family members of the journalist, including his wife, alleged that police was biased in the investigation and apprehended a threat to him in custody.

Keshari was stabbed to death by Rupam in full public view at the MLA's residence at Sipahi Tola under K-Hat police station on Tuesday.

Kumar said there were two different aspects involved in the case. The killing of the MLA was separate from the complaint of the woman who stabbed him to death, the DIG said.

The investigation was going on in full swing in the case, he said, adding the FIR by the slain MLA's relative also said there was a conspiracy behind the murder.