JSP leader Ashok Yadav says he is not running away and is at the hospital with his injured son.

Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Madhesh Province Chair Ashok Kumar Yadav has denied reports that he is hiding after threatening Sarlahi District Police Chief SP Yogendra Kumar Khadka.

In a video statement on Sunday, Yadav said he is not running away but is at the hospital taking care of his seriously injured son. “I am not hiding. Police came to my home like criminals around midnight, beat my son badly, and left him near death. His neck vein is torn. I am at the hospital for his treatment,” Yadav said.

He said police raided his house late at night and hurt his son. This happened after a phone call went viral where Yadav was heard insulting SP Khadka. After that, the court issued an arrest warrant against Yadav for stopping public work and causing trouble.

Yadav said he has always spoken out against corruption and bad governance in Madhes, and this fight is part of that. “If the state calls me a criminal and files cases against me, I am ready to face many of them. Even if I get the death penalty, I will keep fighting for the rights of the Madhesi people,” he said.

An arrest warrant was issued against Yadav on Asar 20 (July 4) because of the leaked audio.