Thursday, October 20 2005 16:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: The Election Commission has directed the Bihar administration to immediately re-arrest Vijay Prakash, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate for Jamui and younger brother of Union Minister Jaiprakash Narain Yadav who was 'illegally' released on bail following his arrest on October 18 while moving around with firearms, huge cash and liquor bottles during the poll.

"The Election Commission has ordered immediate re-arrest of RJD candidate and Jamui Police Superintendent Arvind Kumar has been asked to take necessary action", Director General of Police Ashish Ranjan sinha told sources.

The SP is learnt to have left for Kharagpur in adjoining Munger district, the native place of Vijay Prakash, from where his mother Shanti Devi is contesting election on RJD ticket.

Sinha said the commission had taken a serious note of the release of the RJD candidate on personal bond by the officer incharge of Khaira police station in Jamui district though he was booked under non-bailable sections of the Indian Penal Code and Arms Act.

IG (Bhagalpur), N C Dhondiyal was yesterday (Oct 19, 2005) removed by the orders of the commission for having allegedly facilitate candidate's release.

Jamui SP Arvind Kumar had suspended the officer in-charge Mukteshwar Prasad for releasing the RJD candidate barely hours after he was arrested.

EC special adviser K J Rao, during his visit to Jamui yesterday, had ordered registration of an FIR against the officer in-charge.

Prakash was arrested for moving around with a rifle, Rs 6.68 lakh in cash and 50 bottles of liquor. The cash and liquor was meant for distribution among the voters, the SP said.