Sunday, November 13 2005 11:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Darbhanga (Bihar): Union minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader M A A Fatmi was arrested for violation of model code for elections and released soon after late yesterday (Nov 12, 2005) night, police said today (Nov 13, 2005).

A team of Lehariasarai police station arrested the Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Fatmi, and his driver Mohammed Nasim at his residence and later released him on bail, Superintendent of Police, Darbhanga O N Bhaskar told sources.

Bhaskar had ordered immediate arrest of the Union Minister after his vehicle was found roaming around in the town with banners and posters of RJD leaders plastered all over in violation of model code though the campaigning for the polling in Darbhanga slated for November 13 had ended at 4 pm on Friday.

He said the driver confessed at Laheriasarai police station that the vehicle was owned by Fatmi.

A case was registered against Fatmi and his driver under Section 188 (disobediance to the order duly promulgated by a public servant) of Indian Penal Code, Bhaskar said, adding since the offence was under bailable section the police enlarged the two on bail.

RJD Lok Sabha member from Jhanjharpur in adjoining Madhubani district Devendra Prasad Yadav, who was also arrested along with two others last evening for violating the model code, was released on bail.

Yadav, a former union minister, was held at Sugapatti village under Phulparas police station while moving in a convoy of three vehicles, permits of two of which had lapsed on Friday evening and booked under section 188 of IPC.