Patna, Bihar – In a significant development ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, Anant Singh, the JD(U) candidate from Mokama, has been arrested in connection with the murder of Dular Chand Yadav, a supporter of the Jan Suraaj Party. The arrest took place late Saturday night.
Dular Chand Yadav was killed on Thursday during campaigning in Mokama. Initial reports indicated a clash between supporters of the Jan Suraaj Party and the JD(U) in Tartar village, Ghoswari police station limits. Yadav's death, caused by a ruptured lung and multiple rib fractures, according to the autopsy, has ignited political tensions in the region. The autopsy ruled out gunshot as the cause of death.
Anant Singh, a controversial figure and former MLA, is seeking to reclaim the Mokama seat on a JD(U) ticket as part of the NDA. He was apprehended from his house in Barh, approximately 200 km from Patna. Along with Singh, police have also arrested two other individuals, Manikant Thakur and Ranjeet Ram, who were allegedly present at the scene of the incident. All three are expected to be produced before a magistrate.
Following the arrest, Patna SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) confirmed that Anant Singh was taken into custody after a preliminary investigation into the Dularchand Yadav murder case. The SSP stated that the initial probe revealed a clash between rival candidates' supporters, leading to Yadav's death. Police registered FIRs from both sides and determined Singh's presence at the location with his associates during the incident.
The Jan Suraaj Party candidate from Mokama, Piyush Priyadarshi, welcomed the arrest but noted that action should have been taken sooner. Priyadarshi expressed relief for Yadav's family and emphasized the importance of a thorough police investigation.
The Election Commission has taken note of the situation, directing the transfer of the Patna (Rural) SP (Superintendent of Police) for poll violence in Mokama. Additionally, two station house officers (SHOs) have been suspended in connection with the murder case. The EC has also sought a report from the Bihar DGP (Director General of Police) regarding the incident. The Election Commission also ordered the appointment of new officials to replace the sub-divisional officer of Barh, who is also the returning officer of Mokama assembly seat, sub-divisional police officer Barh-1, and sub-divisional police officer Barh-2.
Anant Singh has denied any involvement in the killing, alleging a conspiracy by Surajbhan Singh, the husband of RJD candidate Veena Devi. Veena Devi has dismissed these allegations.
The Mokama seat is considered a stronghold of "bahubalis" (strongmen) in Bihar politics, with Anant Singh being a prominent figure. The constituency is witnessing a contest between Anant Singh and Veena Devi. Dularchand Yadav had a long-standing rivalry with Anant Singh, dating back to when Yadav lost the 1990 Bihar Assembly election against Anant's elder brother, Dilip Singh.
The incident has sparked political outrage, with leaders from various parties condemning the violence. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav criticized the law and order situation in the state following the murder. Jan Suraj Party's state president, Manoj Bharti, condemned the killing as an assault on democratic rights.
Bihar is scheduled to hold elections in two phases on November 6 and 11, with the votes being counted on November 14.
