A former Congress Lok Sabha member from Bihar and ex-ambassador to Laos Gaurishanker Rajhans was on Monday arrested for allegedly torturing his daughter-in-law Aparna for dowry.

Aparna is the daughter of Manikant Thakur, a journalist with the BBC who filed a first information report against the ex-MP, Patna City Superintendent of Police O N Bhaskar said.

Rajhans's brother-in-law Pramil was also held in connection with the case.

Thakur also named Aparna's husband Punit in his FIR, Bhaskar said.

"Both Rajhans and Pramil were detained at the Gandhi Maidan police station before their arrest," Bhaskar said.

Rajhans is the son-in-law of Kamal Narayan Mishra, the elder brother of Jagannath Mishra, former Bihar chief minister.