After one-and-a-half years in custody, independent MLA from Kunda, Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya, who is facing charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, was on Tuesday released on bail from Pratapgarh Jail following orders to this effect by a special court in Kanpur.

The designated POTA court in Kanpur had on Monday ordered the release of Raja Bhaiyya and his father on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each and two sureties each of the like amount.

Jail authorities in Pratapgarh said that while Raja Bhaiyya was released, his father Uday Pratap Singh would be released later after the completion of some formalities.

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Raja Bhaiyya had been arrested during Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati's reign in November 2002 and his father in January 2003. The duo and Raja Bhaiyya's cousin Akshay Pratap Singh were all held under POTA.

After Mulayam Singh Yadav took over as Uttar Pradesh chief minister in late 2003, the state government has been trying to get the POTA charge withdrawn. Raja Bhaiyya is among those who are supporting Singh's government.