Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has said that the arrest of independent MP from Purnia, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, was not directly linked to the murder of a NEET aspirant, but was carried out in connection with an old case. He stated that Pappu Yadav had been continuously raising the issue of the NEET student’s killing, an incident which he himself strongly condemns.

Speaking to the media during a programme in Bodh Gaya, the Union Minister said that the crime against the NEET aspirant was extremely condemnable and that the state government is taking the matter seriously. He added that Home Minister Samrat Choudhary has also clarified that the case is being investigated by all concerned agencies.

Manjhi said that investigations by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have been completed, and the case has now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He assured that once the evidence is fully established, those responsible will not be spared.

The Union Minister said that the issue raised by Pappu Yadav was connected to public sentiment and deserved condemnation at all levels. However, he reiterated that the arrest was not directly related to the same incident.

Commenting on the Union Budget 2026–27 during a press conference organised by the MSME department, Manjhi said that the entire country is proud of the Government of India and the Prime Minister’s stand on international trade deals. He said the Prime Minister does not work under pressure and considers the 140 crore citizens of the country as his family.

Manjhi stated that the MSME sector has received a 7.7 percent increase in allocation in this year’s budget. He said that after agriculture, the MSME sector has emerged as the largest source of employment generation and that the budget is a significant step towards making India self-reliant. He added that the foundation for making India the world’s third-largest economy by 2047 has been laid through this budget.

The Union Minister said that Bihar earlier faced a severe shortage of technology centres, but the situation is now changing. A technology centre in Bihta has been fully developed and has begun operations, while construction of a new technology centre is underway in Khijarsarai block of Gaya district. He said that while Bihar earlier had only one technology centre, the number has now increased to seven.

On the occasion, Manjhi congratulated Bihar’s emerging sportsperson Vaibhav Suryavanshi for bringing laurels to the state and urged the Bihar government to honour and encourage him.