Over Rs 1 crore, $600 recovered after theft at Giriraj Singh's home, JDU asks for an answer to the people

PATNA: Giriraj Singh, the BJP’s Lok Sabha member from Nawada who courted controversy for his remarks that those not voting for the party should be dispatched to Pakistan, is under the scrutiny of police and income tax officials after a theft at his Patna flat led to recovery of Rs1.14 crore and $600 in cash.

"We have arrested the guard of the apartment and one auto rickshaw driver who were involved in the crime. They have admitted to the theft committed by them. We are also looking for other four accused who are at large," Patna’s senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaj said on Tuesday, when the police displayed wads of recovered cash before the media.

Along with the cash, the police also recovered six high-end luxury wrist watches, jewellery and a camcorder, Maharaj said. "The theft was committed yesterday in the MP’s flat. In the FIR lodged in this connection, there was no detail about the stolen amount," he said, adding that it was open to verification whether the amount belonged to the MP.

"But those arrested have, in their confession, said they had committed the theft at the MP’s flat," said Maharaj. The MP could not be reached for comments. However, the ruling JD (U) reacted strongly and said the MP owed an explanation to the people after recovery of such a huge amount, that too in cash. Income tax officials are collaborating with Patna police on the issue.