Patna Police on Saturday arrested JD(U) candidate from Mokama, Anant Singh, in connection with the murder of Jan Suraaj worker Dularchand Yadav.
The police, led by Patna SSP, reached Anant Singh’s Kargil Market residence in Barh and later took him into custody. Singh is being brought to Patna for questioning.
Dular Chand Yadav, a Jan Suraaj Party supporter, died due to a ruptured lung and multiple rib fractures during election campaigning in Mokama, Patna. The autopsy ruled out gunshot as the cause of death, sparking political tensions amid Bihar Assembly polls.
In a joint press conference held by the Patna SSP and DM after the arrest, the SSP confirmed that Anant Singh has been brought to Patna. He said, “Following preliminary investigation in the Dularchand Yadav murder case, JD(U) candidate Anant Singh has been arrested. Along with Singh, two of his associates, Manikant Thakur and another individual have also been taken into custody.”
The SSP further added that the initial probe revealed a clash between supporters of two rival candidates, after which Dularchand Yadav’s body was recovered. FIRs were filed by both sides, and during the investigation, police found that Anant Singh was present at the spot along with his associates when the incident occurred.
Reacting to the arrest, Jan Suraaj Party’s Mokama candidate Piyush Priyadarshi told ANI, “This is a good gesture, but it would have been good had they taken action sooner. Today, he was moving around in a convoy of 50 vehicles and even participated in election campaigning. When an FIR was registered against him, he should have been arrested sooner. But better late than never. What is important now is how the police investigate the whole case. It is a relief for his family.”
ANANT SINGH NAMED IN FIR
Earlier, police had registered three FIRs related to the incident and arrested two people. One FIR, lodged by Yadav’s grandson, names Anant Singh and four others. The second FIR was filed by the rival faction, while the third was registered by the police based on their own investigation.
Anant Singh, a well-known local strongman, has alleged that the attack was a conspiracy orchestrated by former MP Surajbhan Singh, husband of RJD candidate Veena Devi.
“We were meeting people and asking for votes when supporters of another candidate started shouting slogans. I told my supporters not to respond and moved ahead. Surajbhan’s people attacked our vehicles. Dularchand was the first to raise his hand. This entire game is being played by Surajbhan Singh,” Anant Singh claimed.
EC SEEKS REPORT FROM AUTHORITIES
The Election Commission has sought a detailed report from the District Election Officer over the incident, which occurred amid the ongoing Bihar Assembly election campaign.
On Friday, Patna District Magistrate and SSP visited Mokama and Badh areas, holding a review meeting with candidates and their representatives. Officials were instructed to ensure strict compliance with the Model Code of Conduct and maintain law and order during the election period.
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