Patna: Former Rupauli MLA and ex-minister Bima Bharti’s son Raja Mandal has been accused of attempting to abduct a 15-year-old boy and threatening his father after the latter allegedly objected to Mandal and his associates consuming liquor at his house in Bhawanipur police station area in Purnia district. Police said they received a written complaint and were investigating the allegations.According to the complaint filed by Mohd Bablu, a resident of Bhawandevi Tola in Ward No. 9 of Bhawanipur, Raja allegedly arrived at Bablu’s newly constructed house in a white SUV on the night of Oct 19, accompanied by three or four associates. The complainant claimed the vehicle carried a name plate identifying it as belonging to a former MLA.Bablu alleged that a dispute broke out after he objected to the group drinking liquor inside a room of the house, following which they allegedly threatened him and left.According to the complaint, the group returned around 9pm and allegedly tried to forcibly take Bablu’s 15-year-old son, Mohd Mehtab Alam, from the room where he was sleeping and put him into their vehicle. The alleged attempt was interrupted when a Dial 112 police patrol reached the spot after receiving information about the incident. The accused allegedly fled, leaving child.Bablu further alleged that around 10pm, he received a phone call in which the caller abused him and threatened to kill his family. The caller also allegedly claimed that police could do nothing against him.An audio recording of the conversation has circulated on social media. However, police have not confirmed whether the voice in the recording is that of Raja. The authenticity of the audio is also yet to be established. Bablu has sought protection for his family and submitted two call recordings and details of the communications between the phone numbers concerned to police.Dhamdaha SDPO Ajit Pratap Singh Chauhan confirmed that Bhawanipur police had received a written complaint. He said the allegations were being examined through technical and factual investigation and that appropriate legal action would follow based on the findings.Raja was earlier named in connection with the June 2024 murder of businessman Gopal Yaduka in Bhawanipur. He was accused of allegedly arranging a contract killing for Rs 5 lakh.Former MLA Bima Bharti’s husband, Awadhesh Mandal, and her son subsequently surrendered and were jailed in connection with the case. Police had also arrested the alleged shooter and another person accused of acting as a link in the murder conspiracy.
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