New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Monday dismissed the bail plea of a BJP municipal councillor accused of a party worker's murder in April on the ground that "being a man in power and position he may influence the witnesses".
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor Madhav Prasad was seeking re-election in the civic polls from Sangam Park in north Delhi when party worker Jai Prakash's murder took place.
Justice P.K. Bhasin dismissed the bail plea of Prasad, lodged in Tihar jail since April 11, and said: "Considering the fact that the petitioner (Prasad) being a man in power having won the election as a municipal councillor and in a position to influence the witnesses, I do not consider this to be a fit case for grant of bail to him."
The court also rejected Prasad's contention that he was entitled to be released on bail as per the statement of witness that his driver was the alleged murderer.
"The fact that the role assigned to him is only of catching hold of the deceased (victim) will not make any difference since the fact remains that the person who had stabbed the deceased was his driver only and the third person was his supporter and so, at this stage, it cannot be said whether Prasad is the main culprit or not," said the court.
According to police, Prakash was stabbed to death at Azadpur railway station April 10. A witness said that two men, including Prasad's driver, stabbed the victim to death at the councillor's behest.
It was alleged that Prakash was killed as he did not favour Prasad getting a BJP ticket.
--Ind-Asian News Service
gt/rah/vt
