Arrested Bihar editor to be provided newspapers, books
By IANSMonday, February 7, 2011
PATNA - Navlesh Pathak, the editor of an English weekly arrested in connection with the murder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Raj Kishore Kesri, will be provided newspapers and books in Bihar’s Purnia jail, officials said Monday.
Navlesh Pathak had demanded newspapers and books to read while in prison and jail Inspector General Ramesh Lal directed authorities to provide him the same, a jail official said.
During Ramesh Lal’s visit to Purnia jail Sunday to inquire about complaints of Navlesh Pathak and Rupam Pathak, the school teacher who is the main accused in the legislator’s murder, Navlesh requested that he be provide newspapers and books in Hindi and English, a jail official told IANS over telephone.
Last week, Navlesh Pathak observed a daylong fast in jail to protest the poor quality of food served to him. Earlier, he had appealed to the jail officials in a letter to provide him edible food instead of poor quality of food as he had lost eight to 10 kgs in the last 25 days.
Kesri, a BJP legislator from Purnia constituency, was killed Jan 4 at his home by Rupam Pathak, who alleged the politician had raped her for over three years.
Rupam, 40, went to Kesri’s home in Purnia and stabbed him to death in the presence of a number of people. Following the murder, Rupam was beaten up by Kesri’s security guards and supporters.
Navlesh Pathak, editor of Purnia-based English weekly Quisling, was the first to report about Rupam’s sexual harassment complaint. He was arrested after Kesri’s nephew filed a complaint against three people, including Rupam.
A Bihar court last month sent him to judicial custody for 14 days. He had demanded Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) security during judicial custody. The court on Monday extended his judicial custody by 14 more days.
Ruma, Navlesh Pathak’s wife, alleged that police have been biased in their investigations. His family members have repeatedly alleged that he is being badly treated by the jail officials.
A group of journalists in Bihar have also demanded the immediate release of Navlesh Pathak.
