Patna: The Patna High Court has acquitted former RJD MLA Rajballabh Yadav in a rape case dating back to 2016. The court ruled that the prosecution could not prove the charges and gave Yadav the benefit of the doubt. This decision overturns a lower court’s verdict that had sentenced him to life in prison.
The case began in February 2016 when a minor accused Yadav of sexual assault. She alleged that she was taken to a house in Giriak on the pretext of attending a birthday party, where she was assaulted. The incident led to Yadav’s arrest and caused a stir in Bihar politics, as he was an MLA at the time.
In 2018, a special court sentenced Yadav, along with Sulekha Devi and Radha Devi, to life imprisonment. Three others — Chhoti Devi, Sandeep Suman and Tussi Devi — were sentenced to 10 years. All six appealed the decision, claiming the case was politically motivated and that witness statements were inconsistent.
The High Court agreed with the defence, saying the evidence was not enough to uphold the conviction. After the verdict, Yadav’s supporters celebrated outside the court, saying they had always believed in his innocence.
