Rahul Gandhi calls Pappu Yadav's arrest ‘political vendetta’ for demanding justice in NEET student death case

Rahul Gandhi labels Pappu Yadav's arrest a political vendetta, alleging attempts to silence demands for justice in a NEET student’s death.

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday (February 7, 2026) alleged that an independent candidate from Purnea constituency, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, was arrested for demanding justice in the death case of a NEET aspirant in a hostel in Patna.

In a post on X, Mr. Gandhi said that Mr. Yadav’s arrest is “an act of political vendetta” aimed at intimidating the voices in connection with the case.

“Standing firmly as the voice for justice for this daughter was fellow MP Pappu Yadav ji. His arrest today is clearly an act of political vendetta, aimed at intimidating and silencing every voice that demands accountability,” he said.

Mr. Yadav was arrested on Friday (February 6, 2026) after he failed to appear in an alleged land dispute case from 1995. The Purnea MP had expressed fear about his safety.

“I have doubts that these people might have killed me. I will go straight to the Court. I will not go to the police station. If they want, they can house arrest me,” he said.

The Congress leader accused the BJP-NDA alliance of attempting to “derail” the case and “harass the family” to protect the criminals.