Kanpur, June 17: A designated Pota court today dismissed the parole plea of jailed independent MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya. District and sessions judge (Pota) Shailendra Saxena extended the judicial custody of Raja Bhaiya, his father Udai Pratap Singh and cousin Akshay Pratap Singh till July 1.

Raja Bhaiya was denied parole as the defence counsel D D Mehta did not press for it as the "political scenario in Uttar Pradesh had changed since the filing of application". Mehta had on June 3 moved an application seeking one-week parole for Raja Bhaiya saying he was "required" by his followers as the political situation in Uttar Pradesh had become hectic following withdrawal of support by Rashtriya Lok Dal to the Mayawati government.

However, today the defence submitted a fresh application of Raja Bhaiya seeking ten days parole under police protection to look after his ailing mother and wife. The Pota court had directed the defence to submit its objections on charges levelled against the three Pota detenues by June 28.

Raja Bhaiya, who is in Kanpur District Jail, and his father Udai Pratap Singh, who was brought from Pratapgarh District Jail, were present at the time of hearing in Kanpur District Jail. Akshay Pratap Singh, who could not reach the court from Mirazapur District Jail, was not present at the hearing.

Bureau Report