Minister Bima Bharti's minor son thrashed in Madhepura district

PATNA: Sugarcane department minister Bima Bharti's minor son Raj Kumar was thrashed by a mob after the SUV he was driving allegedly brushed several Chhath devotees who were crossing the road at Bhatgama under Chausa police station area in Madhepura district on Saturday evening.
Bima's son was travelling with his cousin, who is also a minor. Both were returning to Chausa after dropping one of their relatives at Naugachia in Bhagalpur district.
Chausa SHO Mahesh Rajak told TOI over phone that the incident took place between 3pm and 4pm, but the police were informed around 8pm when the minister reached the police station with his son."Ten persons, including a minor Chiku Kumar, were named accused in an FIR lodged by minister's son," Rajak said and added that they were accused of firing and snatching money from Raj.
"A counter FIR was also lodged by Chiku against Raj and his cousin whose identity was yet to be ascertained," he said. adding Chiku had accused the duo of scuffle and firing. When asked, Rajak said it would come to light after investigation that how Raj was driving the SUV when he is a minor and did not have a driving licence. "Investigation revealed that no firing had taken place from any side," he said.
"Police came to know that women devotees were crossing the road when the SUV being driven by Raj brushed them," he said.
"Raj had stopped the vehicle and came out. He held Chiku's collar leading to scuffle. More people gathered in support of Chiku and thrashed Raj," he said, adding both Raj and Chiku received injuries.
Raj is Bharti's younger son. Her elder son Deepak Kumar was found murdered near the railway tracks just opposite Nalanda Medical College and Hospital in Patna on August 3 last year. Her husband Awadhesh Mandal has several criminal cases lodged against him.