NEW DELHI:Purnea Police in Bihar arrested Rambabu Yadav for allegedly threatening independent MP Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav, on Monday.
The accused, Rambabu Yadav, a resident of Dumaria village in Bhojpur district, allegedly made a video call threatening Pappu Yadav, demanding an apology to Lawrence Bishnoi.
Purnea Police tracked his location and apprehended him from his native place in Bhojpur. Purnea Police intensively questioned Rambabu Yadav to understand the motive and verify links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Yadav, who is a six-time MP from Purnia and Madhepura, has been receiving death threats since he announced his intention to eliminate the Bishnoi gang in the aftermath of the killing of former lawmaker Baba Siddique. Shortly after Siddique’s murder, Yadav uploaded a post on his official X handle, declaring to “finish off the gang within 24 hours” the network of Bishnoi, who was suspected to be behind the assassination of Baba Siddique.
‘Series of threats over past 2 months ‘
Over the past two months, Yadav claims to have received over 20 threats, many purportedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Pappu Yadav, who was on the hit-list of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, received another death threat on Saturday—the 18th in over a month.
The threat message, delivered on his personal WhatsApp number, threatened to “eliminate him within 24 hours,” prompting the Purnia police to order an investigation.
The sender of this message, who claimed to be associated with the Bishnoi gang, warned that their gang members have reached near the Purnia MP and even his security guards would not be able to save him. “We will kill you within 24 hours. Our preparations are complete. Our associates have got very close to you and even your security guards won’t be able to save you,” read the message written in incorrect Hindi, with a warning in English, “Enjoy your last day.”
Reacting to the threat, Yadav said no one could intimidate him and that he was ready to die multiple times for the sake of his state and the country. Demanding a thorough investigation into the death threats he is getting frequently, Yadav questioned the central agencies’ silence over it.
“The responsibility for this investigation lies with the IB and RAW. The govt must fulfil its responsibility of probe,” Yadav demanded. He said he was least bothered about his security, but at least the govt must tell the people why he was receiving frequent threats, who was the person behind it, and why someone wanted to eliminate him. “Sometimes these threats are coming from the jails and sometimes from abroad,” he alleged.
The threats included ominous death warnings via WhatsApp messages, including one from a Pakistani number that mentioned “final preparations” and a direct warning to “enjoy your last day.”
In light of the threats to his life, a close friend recently gifted Yadav a bulletproof car to enhance his security. The threats seem to stem from his outspoken nature and his bold stance against organized crime, particularly on the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
MP Pappu Yadav seeks security upgrade
Independent MP Pappu Yadav on Saturday expressed concern over alleged death threats he has been receiving from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Yadav also criticised the central government for failing to provide him with adequate security and called for an investigation into the reasons behind the threats.
The Purnea MP questioned the government’s priorities, pointing out that while he is being threatened, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has been given a security cover.
Earlier, Pappu Yadav had claimed that the threats were connected to his efforts to expose corruption in a hospital scam, which he plans to raise in Parliament.
“There was a general secretary and a few officials who tried to stop me. I have their audio tapes. A few officials were involved in a hospital scam issue, which I will raise in Parliament. Some officials want to restrict me from telling the truth. There are a few other people who want to kill me for raising my voice,” Yadav alleged.
The Independent MP alleged inaction by the authorities, stating, “I have given all the reports, but the government is not doing anything on the matter of threats.”
Yadav also mentioned that he had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking security for himself and his family. “I am asking for the safety of my family and the people who support me. The authorities are aware of these threats, but they have not acted,” he added.
