Bihar MLA gets lifer for kidnapping

A Patna court on Wednesday sentenced Janata Dal-United member of the Legislative Assembly Narendra alias Sunil Pandey and four others to life imprisonment in the sensational kidnapping of neurosurgeon Ramesh Chandra, official sources said.

The court also imposed fine of Rs 50,000 on them. Ten accused were facing trial in the case, including Sunil Pandey, who represents Piro assembly constituency in the Bihar legislative assembly.

Ramesh Chandra was kidnapped in Patna in 2003 that led to widespread protest by doctors and opposition parties led by the National Democratic Alliance comprised of the JD-U and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The police later rescued Chandra from Chiraura village under Naubatpur police station. The abductors had demanded a ransom of Rs10 million, but Chandra was rescued without paying it.

Pandey, a known criminal-turned-politician, has several criminal cases pending against him. He is currently in a jail in connection with a criminal case.

Last week the Patna high court awarded three months simple imprisonment to Pandey for appearing in a court in an inebriated condition and misbehaving with a judge.