Witnesses to Bihar road rage killing scared of reprisals

Given the political clout and muscle power of the family of Rocky Yadav who killed Gaya student Aditya Sachdev in an incident of road rage on Sunday, the four witnesses to the shooting and members of their families are scared of reprisals for recording their statements.

The statements of the witnesses were recorded in court under Section 164 of the CrPC.

Rocky Yadav is the son of muscleman Bindeshwari Prasad Yadav alias Bindi Yadav and Manorama Devi, a (now suspended) JDU legislator.

The witnesses seldom step out of their homes, except to visit the court, says The Telegraph.

"The name of Bindi (Yadav, father of Rocky) once spelt terror in areas falling under Magadh division," said the father of one of the witnesses. "I am a businessman and for how long can we keep ourselves confined to the house?"

A witness's relative said: "The family may land in trouble as the incident has gained political overtones. We don't want to be dragged in any controversy."

Shyamsunder Sachdeva, Aditya's father, said that he has appealed to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the safety of the witnesses to the murder.

"Such influential persons have lots of tactics, but there is no such thing available for the common man," he said. "I want speedy trial in this case and the accused to be hanged."