Ex-Jharkhand minister in judicial custody

RANCHI: Former Jharkhand human resources development (HRD) minister Bandhu Tirkey was on Friday remanded to 14 days of judicial custody in a case of violating prohibitory orders in 2002.

Mr Tirkey has been charged with violating Section 144 of CrPC which prohibits assembly of four or more, in 2002. The order was issued in Bero and Lapung blocks of Ranchi after villagers had launched an agitation to protest against the state government's indifferent attitude towards attacks by elephants.

Mr Tirkey is also facing charges of wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. He became an MLA in 2005 from Mandar constituency and was a minister in the governments led by Madhu Koda and Shibu Soren.