Coal scam accused Bikash Mishra arrested in POCSO case

Kolkata Police arrested Bikash Mishra, an accused in a high-profile coal scam case under investigation by the CBI, following a complaint of harassment of a minor. Mishra was produced before the Alipore Police Court, where the vacation judge remanded him to judicial custody for one day. Chief police prosecutor Sourin Ghosal requested the court to direct Mishra's production before the regular court, citing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The judge granted the request, and Mishra will appear before the regular court as instructed. While being transported from the court in a prison van, Mishra alleged that his life was in danger and claimed that revealing certain information could jeopardize the government's future. Bikash Mishra, who is also the brother of key coal scam accused Vinay Mishra, had been arrested by the CBI in 2021 in connection with the coal scam. He was subsequently granted bail before his latest arrest. (ET)