A school principal fatally stabbed a Hindu nationalist politician while he was meeting supporters at his residence in an east Indian state, police said today.

Neelmani, the top police officer in Bihar state, said Rupan Pathak pulled out a knife from her shawl and stabbed Raj Kishore Kesri, a senior member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, in the stomach, killing him instantly.

Neelmani, who uses one name, said Mr Kesri's guards overpowered Pathak and beat her up. She was taken to hospital, where she was in a critical condition. The police chief said Pathak was charged with murder.

According to Neelmani, Mr Kesri inaugurated Pathak's school four years ago. He said Pathak accused the police chief of sexually harassing her last year but did not file a complaint.

Bihar is considered India's most lawless state.

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