Srinagar, April 21: Police have booked Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP’s) District President Bandipora and his Sarpanch associate for allegedly collecting Rs one lakh from a woman in lieu of getting her incarcerated brother released.

The money has also been seized by the Police, official sources said.

They said that BJP’s District President for Bandipora, Abdul Rehman Tikri along with his “accomplice”, a Sarpanch identified as Mushtaq Ahmad of Darmahama, had demanded and accepted Rs 1 lakh from the woman Ms A Khursheed in lieu of releasing her incarcerated brother Aqib Khursheed from Jail.

Meanwhile, a police official while confirming the incident said that a case (FIR No. 64) under Section 420 IPC (cheating) stands registered against the accused and investigations are underway.

He said that the money was also seized from the accused duo and both were later released after thorough questioning as they produced an anticipatory bail.

Cash For Release: BJP Sacks District President Bandipora Babar Rather

After the case surfaced, BJP “relieved” its district president for Bandipora Abdul Rehman Tikri from all responsibilities after police booked him and his “accomplice”.

“Abdul Rehman Tikri, district President BJP Bandipora is relieved off of his responsibilities as district president BJP Bandipora and all other party responsibilities with immediate effect,” reads an “order” by BJP J&K president Ravinder Raina. gns