The political landscape of Mokama, Bihar, has been rocked by the arrest of Anant Kumar Singh, a controversial figure also known as "Chhote Sarkar," in connection with the murder of Dularchand Yadav, a supporter of the Jan Suraaj Party. Singh, a Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] candidate and former MLA seeking to reclaim his seat, was apprehended on Saturday night, November 1, 2025, along with two associates, Manikant Thakur and Ranjeet Ram.

The arrest follows a violent clash in Tartar village, Ghoswari, where supporters of the JD(U) and Jan Suraaj Party purportedly clashed, resulting in Yadav's death and several injuries. Yadav, who was campaigning for Jan Suraaj Party candidate Piyush Priyadarshi, succumbed to injuries sustained during the clash, including a ruptured lung and multiple rib fractures. An FIR filed by Yadav's family alleges that Singh personally shot Yadav before he was beaten and crushed under a vehicle.

An autopsy has ruled out a gunshot wound as the cause of death. However, police have registered three FIRs related to the incident, including one naming Anant Singh and four others. Singh, on the other hand, has alleged that the attack was a conspiracy orchestrated by Suraj Bhan Singh, husband of RJD candidate Veena Devi, who is also contesting from Mokama.

The arrest of Anant Singh has ignited political tensions in the lead-up to the Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled to begin on November 6. Opposition parties have called for a CBI probe into the incident, alleging that the state government is protecting criminals. The Election Commission has sought a report from the Director General of Police (DGP) regarding the incident.

Anant Singh's political career has been marked by controversy and a long history of criminal charges. According to his election affidavit, he faces 28 serious cases, including charges of kidnapping, illegal possession of arms, and attempt to murder. Patna High Court documents have previously stated that there have been as many as 52 cases against him. Despite his criminal record, Singh has maintained a strong influence in Mokama, winning multiple elections from the constituency. He has been associated with various political parties, including JD(U) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). In 2020, he won the Vidhansabha elections from Mokama on an RJD ticket while in jail but was later disqualified in 2022 due to a case involving the illegal possession of weapons. His wife, Nilam Devi, won the subsequent by-election on an RJD ticket but later switched to JD(U).

Mokama has been a long-standing battleground for strongman politics, dominated by Anant Singh and Surajbhan Singh. The rivalry between the two leaders dates back to the 2000 Bihar Assembly elections and has shaped the political narrative of the region.

As the investigation into Dularchand Yadav's murder continues, the arrest of Anant Singh has cast a shadow over the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and raised questions about law and order in the state.