Patna, July 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav was released from Beur Central Jail on Tuesday evening after the Bihar government withdrew criminal cases registered against participants in the recent student agitation, paving the way for the release of several detained protesters.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader, who is the elder son of party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, was greeted by supporters outside the jail, where slogans were raised in his support. After acknowledging the gathering, he left for his residence.
Tej Pratap had taken part in the Bihar Bandh held on July 25 in support of the student movement and was seen carrying the national flag during the protest. He was initially detained by police and later released. However, he was arrested again the same evening near a shopping mall in Patna.
He was subsequently produced before a judicial magistrate and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody at Beur Central Jail. Police had booked him under multiple provisions of law, including charges related to attempted murder, rioting, obstructing public servants in the discharge of their duties and causing damage to public property.
His arrest sparked a political confrontation, with opposition parties alleging that the action was politically motivated and intended to suppress the student movement.
During his stay in jail, Tej Pratap reportedly complained of chest pain and was admitted to the prison hospital for medical observation. Reports also indicated that he had requested air-conditioned accommodation and home-cooked food, which were reportedly declined by jail authorities in accordance with prison rules.
His legal team had challenged the arrest by filing a bail petition, arguing that the police action lacked justification.
Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, who returned from an overseas visit during the episode, strongly criticised the state government over his brother’s arrest, alleging that the administration had attempted to curb democratic protests through coercive measures.
The withdrawal of cases by the Bihar government has now resulted in the release of Tej Pratap Yadav along with other students and protesters who were arrested during the agitation.
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