Former Bihar MLA and Janata Dal (United) candidate Anant Singh was arrested late on Saturday in connection with the murder of Jan Suraaj Party supporter Dularchand Yadav, in what has become the first major poll-related killing ahead of the Bihar elections.
Mokama Turns Tense as Police Arrests Anant Singh
Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya Sharma confirmed Singh’s arrest, stating that the JD(U) candidate was present at the crime scene along with his aides, Manikant Thakur and Ranjeet Ram.
“It was found that the entire sequence of stone-pelting, arson, and firing took place in his presence,” Sharma said in a late-night briefing.
The arrest came just hours before opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav was scheduled to address a rally in Mokama. Singh was detained from his Kargil Bazar residence in Badh, amid reports that he was planning to surrender.
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Details of the Crime
The victim, Dularchand Yadav (75), a local strongman and former RJD leader, was attacked on October 30 while campaigning for Piyush Priyadarshi, the Jan Suraaj Party candidate.
An FIR filed by Yadav’s grandson named Anant Singh, his nephews, and others as the accused.
Although initial reports claimed Yadav was shot, the post-mortem report revealed his death resulted from cardiorespiratory failure caused by multiple rib fractures and a ruptured lung—suggesting he was crushed by a vehicle after suffering a non-fatal gunshot wound to the ankle.
Police Findings and Evidence
Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar told reporters that video evidence, eyewitness accounts, and forensic findings confirmed Singh’s presence during the incident.
“Evidence establishes that the deceased died after being run over by a heavy object. Anant Singh’s presence has been confirmed, and over 80 others have been arrested for stone-pelting,” Kumar said.
Security Tightened, Fear Among Locals
Paramilitary forces have been deployed along the Mokama–Badh highway, with round-the-clock police surveillance in Tartar village, where the victim lived. Locals alleged that witnesses were being threatened by Singh’s men.
“Those speaking up on TV or video are being picked up from their homes,” a resident, Sanjay Yadav, told police.
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Caste and Political Rivalries Deepen
Known locally as “Chhote Sarkar,” Anant Singh has been a dominant figure in Mokama’s politics for decades. His contest on a JD(U) ticket backed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has reignited deep caste and gang rivalries.
Mokama, which votes on November 6, has long been a battleground between Bhumihars and Yadavs, represented respectively by Singh and slain leader Dularchand.
Singh faces RJD candidate Veena Devi, wife of rival strongman Surajbhan Singh, intensifying the contest further.
Political Fallout and Election Commission Action
The RJD condemned the killing, accusing the government of failing to maintain law and order.
In response, the Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered the suspension and transfer of multiple officials, including the Patna Rural SP and Mokama Returning Officer, citing lapses in enforcing the Model Code of Conduct.
Meanwhile, Singh’s supporters have dismissed the charges as politically motivated, claiming, “Mokama’s people will stand by him and ensure justice is done.”
