SRI NAGAR: Former BJP minister Choudhary Lal Singh’s brother Rajinder Singh — wanted for using derogatory language against J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti — was arrested in Rajasthan on Sunday. SSP, Kathua, Shridhar Patil, told TNIE that Rajinder was arrested from Udaipur by the J&K police with help from their Rajasthan counterparts.
Rajinder’s hideout was traced through technical surveillance and a special team of J&K Police was sent to Rajasthan to arrest him. “He (Rajinder) is being brought to Jammu and will be produced before the Kathua Chief Judicial Magistrate on Monday,” Patil said.
Rajinder was absconding after a case was registered against him in May for using derogatory words against Mehbooba at a May 20 rally in Kathua district. His video in which he is purportedly heard using “abusive and vulgar” language had gone viral on social media. On May 21, a case was lodged under relevant sections of the Ranbir Penal Code and the Information Technology Act at the Hiranagar police station.
After Rajinder had gone into hiding, the J&K police issued a lookout notice on May 27. Rajinder’s elder brother Lal Singh was forced to resign from the Council of Ministers for attending a rally in support of those accused in the Kathua gang rape and murder case. On the apex court order, the Pathankot sessions court is now conducting a trial of the high-profile case.