Patna: Authorities in Bihar have taken Janata Dal (United) assembly candidate from Mokama, Anant Singh, and his two aides into custody. The arrests were made in Bedna village during the night between Saturday and Sunday. This action follows the murder of Dularchand Yadav, who was actively campaigning for Jan Suraaj candidate Piyush Priyadarshi.
A joint press conference was held by Patna District Magistrate (DM) Thiyagrajan S.M. and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikey Sharma in the early hours of Sunday. They confirmed the arrest of former MLA Anant Singh, along with his aides Manikant Thakur and Ranjit Ram.
This development occurred just hours after the Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered the removal of the Barh Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) due to alleged lapses.
According to police reports, Singh was apprehended following a significant police operation that involved around 150 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. The operation targeted Singh’s hideouts in the rural areas of Barh and Mokama, west of Patna. He was subsequently brought to Patna for interrogation.
The SSP detailed the events leading up to the arrest, stating, “On October 30, a clash occurred between supporters of rival candidates, involving the pelting of stones which resulted in injuries. Dularchand Yadav’s body was discovered after the incident. Both parties filed cases, and the police initiated an investigation.”
Based on the evidence gathered, eyewitness testimonies, and the post-mortem report, the SSP indicated a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). He added, “It appears that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was violated, and this is a serious matter. It was found that all these events transpired in the presence of the candidate, Anant Singh, who is also the main accused. All three individuals will be presented before the Barh court, and a thorough investigation will follow.”
The deceased sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. The SSP clarified, “As per the post-mortem report, he was murdered. The bullet could not be recovered as the report indicated both an entry and an exit wound.”
The Patna DM emphasized that the incident is being treated with utmost seriousness and that the MCC will be strictly enforced.
Dularchand was reportedly campaigning for Jan Suraaj’s candidate Priyadarshi when a violent confrontation erupted in the Mokama Tal area on Thursday afternoon, ultimately leading to his death. The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged by the deceased’s grandson, Neeraj Kumar, who named Singh, his nephews Karamveer and Ranveer, and two other individuals as accused.
Commenting on the arrest, Priyadarshi expressed, “Anant was campaigning freely with a convoy of 50 vehicles on Friday. He should have been arrested much sooner after the FIR was filed. However, it is better late than never. What is crucial now is the thoroughness of the police investigation. This is a relief for his family.”
In related administrative actions, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the replacement of the Patna Rural SP and has initiated disciplinary proceedings against three officials for their alleged role in the lapses.
