Tuesday, December 20 2005 15:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad's nephew Nagendra Rai has been arrested in connection with three criminal cases pending against him and was remanded to judicial custody till January three.

Rai, also an RJD leader, was arrested from his residence during special drive against criminals last night, Senior Superintendent of Police Kundan Krishnan told sources.

Rai was produced today before Chief Judicial Magistrate Sushma Sinha, who remanded him to judicial custody. He will be lodged in the high-security Beur jail.

The cases relate to criminal assault and opening of fire at different places within the Shastrinagar police station limits here in 2004.

The SSP said that though senior district police officers had ordered Rai's arrest soon after the crimes were committed, he was not arrested due to his 'political clout'.