Case filed against Bihar CM for returning flood aid

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed against Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar in the Patna High Court for returning aid given to the Kosi flood victims by the Gujarat govenrment, officials said today.

Court officials today said the PIL has been filed by a senior Patna HC lawyer Mahendra Prasad Gupta known for taking up the public issues.

The case was filed tow days after the Bihar chief minister sent back Rs 5 crore cheque to the Gujarat government, agitated over publication of an advertisment showing him joining hands with Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi.

“While on the one hand, victims of Kosi floods are still awaiting relief, Bihar CM has played a cruel joke with the masses by returning the aid as given by the Gujarat government. The court must initiate criminal proceedings against the CM”, Gupta said in his complaint petition.

Gupta said it was shocking that the money remained unused in the CM Relief Fund for more than two years while the flood victims cried for relief.

The aid was given by the Gujarat government soon after the Kosi disaster in 2008.