Patna, Jul 30 (PTI) The Economic Offences Unit of Bihar Police on Wednesday questioned former RJD MLA Bima Bharti in connection with a case of horse-trading filed at Kotwali police station here in 2024.

Bharti’s questioning continued for four hours, and she failed to give satisfactory reply to certain queries, the EOU said in a release.

The EOU is contemplating necessary action as per the existing provisions, it said.

The case pertains to allegations of horse-trading ahead of the trust vote won by the NDA government in February 2024. In an FIR, Sudhanshu Shekhar, an MLA of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), had alleged that he was offered a bribe to cross over to the RJD, which had lost power in a political upheaval that necessitated the floor test.

Shekhar had claimed that he was offered "Rs 10 crore in cash and a ministerial berth" if he helped the RJD win the trust vote.

The EOU has also issued summons to Sanjeev Kumar, JD(U) MLA from the Parbatta assembly constituency in Khagaria district, and two others for questioning in connection with the case. PTI PKD RBT

Investigation into alleged horse-trading continues as police question a former legislator and issue further summons. Investigation into alleged horse-trading follows an FIR claiming inducement to defect; the Economic Offences Unit questioned a former legislator, found some answers unsatisfactory, and is contemplating action under applicable criminal provisions. Summons have been issued to additional legislators and others for further questioning as the inquiry proceeds on a factual basis related to a trust vote and the FIR lodged at the local police station.