Raja Bhaiya, the SP leader with criminal record, has resigned as a minister in Uttar Pradesh after his named was dragged in a senior police officer’s murder case. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who is facing heat from oppositions over deteriorating law and order situation in the state, the recent allegation against Raja Bhaiya has embarrassed him and his party ahead of Lok Sabha elections.
Raja Bhaiya is likely to face arrest for the murder of a Deputy Superintendent of police following a complaint lodged by the victim’s wife. Two persons have been arrested out of 4 accused in the case.
Raja Bhaiya is accused of conspiring against the DSP Zia ul Haq on Saturday night. The victim’s wife demanded CBI probe into the case, which was filed against him after Zia Ul Haq was shot dead in Pratapgarh. The DSP was investigating the case of a village head, who was shot over a land dispute. When he arrived at the village, he was confronted by angry villagers. He was attacked by four men, who were associates of Raja Bhaiya.
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Raja Bhaiya alias Raghu Raj Pratap Singh was sworn in as a minister in UP for the second time in 2012 after spending few years in jail during Mayawati’s tenure. Till March 2012, 48 criminal cases were pending against him.
He was slapped with POTA charges during Mayawati’s regime in November 2002. However, all the charges against him were dropped when Mulayam Singh became the Chief Minister in 2003.
His destiny took another turn when Mayawati again took over the charge as CM in 2007 having full majority in Uttar Pradesh. He was lodged in jail for almost a year. Again, his fortune was changed in 2012 when Akhilesh became CM. He was sworn-in as the Food and Civil Supplies Minister who had spent maximum period in the prison in connection with several criminal/murder cases.