BJP worker Manoj Baitha, accused of running over 9 children in Muzaffarpur, suspended from party for six years

Patna: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suspended party worker Manoj Baitha, who has been accused of mowing down nine children while driving in an inebriated state in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar on Saturday.

The vehicle being driven by BJP leader Manoj Baitha in Muzaffarpur. PTI

At least nine children were killed and about 20 injured when the speeding vehicle lost control and ploughed through them outside a government school building on the outskirts of Muzaffarpur.

"Manoj Baitha, a district level worker of Sitamarhi, has been suspended from the primary membership of the party for a period of six years," BJP's Bihar unit vice-president Devesh Kumar said.

Muzaffarpur district president Subodh Singh has sent a communication to this effect to the party's state headquarters, Kumar told PTI.

About reports that a banner fixed on that vehicle described Baitha's designation in the party as state secretary general of Mahadalit Prakoshth, Kumar said, "No such post exists in the organisation. The worker appears to have fabricated it."

The police has registered an FIR against Baitha following a complaint by a local, who lost his granddaughter in the incident.

Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the police was directed to take "sternest possible action" against Baitha irrespective of his political affiliations.

The Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal has accused the Nitish Kumar government of trying to shield Baitha and alleged that the BJP worker was "drunk" while behind the steering wheel even though sale and consumption of alcohol is banned in the state.