CBI to go slow on leaders’ arrests

PATNA, July 26: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has decided to go slow on the arrest of “lesser known politicians” against whom a designated CBI court has issued warrants, following the Supreme Court stay on the arrest of former chief minister Laloo Prasad Yadav.

The sources said the agency considered two ministers of Laloo Prasad Yadav cabinet – Bholaram Toofani and Vidyasagar Nishad – against whom the designated CBI judge had issued arrest warrants as not “very important”. The CBI has decided to wait for the apex court’s verdict on Yadav’s petition before further action is taken. Sources said the cases against Toofani and Nishad were not as strong as those against Yadav from the prosecution angle.

CBI officials had called on chief secretary B P Verma following the special court’s announcement that it would issue arrest warrants against Yadav. Though the chief secretary insisted on being given at least three days’ time to make security arrangements, the agency officials wanted to execute the arrest warrants on Friday itself.

The worried chief minister convened an emergency meeting of the RJD legislature party to elect his wife as new leader. While the meeting was underway, news reached that the Supreme Court had stayed Yadav’s arrest till July 29 when his appeal would come up for hearing. Minutes later, Laloo rushed to Raj Bhavan with his resignation and staked his wife’s claim to form the government.