Bihar legislator killing: Husband backs accused

PATNA - Ashok Pathak, the husband of a school teacher who stabbed to death Bihar’s BJP legislator Raj Kishore Kesri for allegedly exploiting her sexually, Tuesday said she was “forced” to take the extreme step and that he stood by her.

“I am with my wife and will support her. I will do everything to get justice for her,” Ashok told IANS, a day after he met his wife Rupam Pathak in Purnia jail for the first time since the Jan 4 attack.

Kesri, a Bharatiya Janata Party legislator from Purnia constituency, was killed Jan 4 at his home by Rupam, who alleged the politician had raped her for over three years. The BJP is a partner in the ruling alliance with the Janata Dal-United.

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.

“I support her allegations against Kesri and his close associate Bipin Rai. She was forced to take this extreme step,” said Ashok, in his earley 50s, who is a school principal in Imphal.

He admitted that it was wrong for her wife to take law in her own hands, but said it was the result of a “helpless woman who was sexually exploited.”

He also refuted allegations that Rupam is mentally unstable.

Ashok expressed concern over his wife’s deteriorating health in jail in the absence of special treatment.

“I am worried, she is not doing well…till date she has not been referred to the Patna Medical College,” he said.

Rupam’s mother Kumud Mishra Jan 17 moved court to include the rape charges in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case.