Patna, Feb 26: An alleged local BJP leader, Manoj Baitha, who is accused of owning the SUV which ran over 9 school children in Muzaffarpur district, is reportedly absconding.

The police is yet to make their first arrests in the hit-and-run case, which happened on Saturday. Apart from the nine school children killed, 14 others were injured.

The accident took a political turn after reports claimed that the SUV which caused the fatal accident had BJP stickers on it. The Opposition, led by RJD, pressed the government for action, accusing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of attempting to shield the accused BJP leader.

"The Nitish Kumar government is leaving no stone unturned to save the BJP leader involved. But the RJD would ensure justice is served to the bereaved families," said RJD MLA Tejashwi Yadav, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar assembly.

Nitish, on Saturday, said he was pained by the death of school children. Apart from announcing action against the guilty, he also announced Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia to the immediate kin of deceased victims.

Senior BJP leader and Bihar's Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi said the government would adopt no leniency irrespective of whichever the party the accused is linked to.

"No question of saving the person because of relations with the BJP or RJD. I called Muzaffarpur SP yesterday and said strictest action should be taken. Innocent children were killed and there is no bigger crime than this," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 26, 2018 03:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).