In a significant development in Bihar’s political landscape, Janata Dal (United) assembly candidate from Mokama, Anant Singh, was apprehended along with two of his aides. The arrests were made on the night of Saturday and Sunday in Bedna village, stemming from the murder of Dularchand Yadav, a key campaigner for the Jan Suraaj candidate, Piyush Priyadarshi.
The operation leading to Singh’s arrest involved approximately 150 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel who conducted searches at Singh’s hideouts in rural Patna’s Barh and Mokama areas. Following his apprehension, Singh was brought to Patna for interrogation.
The arrests occurred shortly after the Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered the removal of the Barh Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), indicating potential procedural lapses.
A joint press conference was held by Patna District Magistrate Thiyagrajan S.M. and Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikey Sharma in the early hours of Sunday. They confirmed the arrests of Anant Singh, along with his aides Manikant Thakur and Ranjit Ram.
The investigation into Dularchand Yadav’s murder is linked to a violent clash that took place on October 30 between supporters of rival candidates. During the altercation, stones were pelted, resulting in injuries. Dularchand Yadav’s body was discovered after the incident. The police have registered cases from both sides and are actively pursuing the investigation.
According to the SSP, evidence, eyewitness accounts, and the post-mortem report suggest a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The SSP stated that the incident occurred in the presence of Anant Singh, who is considered the main accused. All three arrested individuals are set to be presented before the Barh court for further legal proceedings.
The post-mortem report indicated that the deceased had a gunshot wound to his leg and died from the injury. The bullet has not been recovered, as confirmed by the report detailing both an entry and exit wound.
The Patna DM emphasized that the incident is being taken very seriously and that the MCC will be strictly enforced.
Dularchand Yadav was actively campaigning for Jan Suraaj’s Piyush Priyadarshi when the fatal clash erupted in the Mokama Tal area. An FIR was filed by Yadav’s grandson, Neeraj Kumar, naming Anant Singh, his nephews Karamveer and Ranveer, and two others as defendants.
Reacting to the arrest, Piyush Priyadarshi expressed that while Singh should have been apprehended earlier, the arrest is a positive step. He stressed the importance of a thorough police investigation and called it a relief for the victim’s family.
In response to the events, the ECI has also ordered the replacement of the Patna Rural SP and initiated disciplinary action against three officials for their alleged failure to act appropriately.