On the run ever since the Bihar Vigilance Investigation Bureau sounded a nationwide alert for his arrest in the flood relief scam, Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Anirudh Prasad, alias Sadhu Yadav, received a major setback on Monday when the Patna High Court rejected his anticipatory bail petition. Yadav is an MP from Gopalganj.

Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad turned down Yadav's anticipatory bail prayer after hearing defence counsel Ganesh Prasad Singh and advocate-general P K Shahi for the prosecution.

For Yadav, the brother-in-law of RJD president Lalu Prasad, Monday's order meant he might not be able to attend the reception planned for Lalu's daughter in Patna on May 10.

The vigilance investigation bureau had chargesheeted Yadav in the scam on April 10 this year under various sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act.

Yadav has been charged with receiving 'slush money' from the alleged kingpin of the scam, Santosh Kumar Jha. In the flood relief scam, Rs 17 crore meant for providing relief to flood-hit people of north Bihar in 2004 was swindled.

All other accused in the case, including high-profile former Patna district magistrate Gautam Goswami and Jha are currently lodged at Beur jail.

Sadhu Yadav is the second of the three brothers of Rabri Devi. While Prabhunath Yadav is the eldest, Subhas Yadav, who is currently member of Rajya Sabha from RJD, is the youngest.

More news: Bihar