Mokama JDU Candidate Anant Singh Arrested In Dularchand Murder Case

Mokama: The Patna Police have arrested Mokama Janata Dal (United) candidate Anant Singh on Saturday night in connection with the murder of Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) worker Dularchand Yadav in Mokama. The Bihar Assembly elections have now taken a dramatic turn with the arrest of Anant Singh, who was named in the horrific murder of Dularchand Yadav. Opposition parties were demanding strict action against Singh and his accomplices after his name emerged in the murder case.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya Sharma, Anant Singh was taken into custody along with two associates, Manikant Thakur and Ranjeet Ram, after a thorough investigation. The police have registered cases against the JDU candidate and others under various sections, including murder, and are conducting further probes to apprehend other accused.

The police official stated that all the accused will be presented before a magistrate, and further legal action will be taken. The arrest comes as a major relief for the family of the deceased, who was killed during a clash between two groups while campaigning for the upcoming elections in Mokama.

Clash Broke Out Between Supporters Of JDU And JSP Candidates Leading To Murder

The incident occurred on October 30, when a violent clash broke out between supporters of rival candidates in Mokama's Tal area, resulting in the death of 75-year-old Dularchand Yadav. The police had registered cases against both sides, but the investigation revealed that Anant Singh, the main accused, had violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and was directly involved in the incident.

The SSP stated that the police had collected evidence, eyewitness accounts, and the postmortem report, which suggested that the Model Code of Conduct was violated, and it was a serious issue.

As per reports, violence erupted during campaigning in Mokama, where Dularchand Yadav was killed. The incident occurred when the convoys of Jan Suraaj candidate Piyush Priyadarshi and JDU candidate Anant Singh clashed on a narrow stretch of road. The situation quickly escalated, resulting in a violent confrontation that claimed Yadav's life.

The deceased Yadav's family has alleged that Anant Singh was directly involved in the murder, with his grandson claiming that the JDU candidate shot him in the leg before his supporters beat him and ran him over with a vehicle. The family has demanded justice and strict action against Singh and his accomplices.

Anant Singh, however, has denied the allegations, claiming that supporters of the Jan Suraaj Party attacked his convoy. However, the police investigation has revealed that Singh's supporters were involved in the violence. The Election Commission has sought a report from the Director General of Police (DGP) regarding the incident.

The opposition parties have demanded a CBI probe into the incident, alleging that the state government is sheltering criminals. RJD leader Surajbhan Singh, whose wife Veena Devi is contesting from Mokama, has demanded an EC probe into the incident.

The police have registered an FIR against Anant Singh and five of his supporters, with two arrests made so far. The investigation is ongoing, with the police analysing video footage and eyewitness accounts.

Jan Suraaj Party Candidate Welcomed The Action

Reacting to the arrest, Jan Suraaj Party candidate Piyush Priyadarshi said that while it was a welcome move, Singh should have been arrested sooner. "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," Priyadarshi added.

The Election Commission has also taken strong action following the murder, ordering the replacement of the Patna Rural SP and Mokama returning officer, and initiating disciplinary proceedings against three officials for lapses. The poll panel directed the immediate suspension of SDPO Abhishek Singh and sought a compliance report by 12 noon on November 2.

Mokama, a constituency infamous for its stronghold of influential ‘bahubalis’ in Bihar politics, is witnessing a high-voltage electoral contest this year. The electoral battle is centered around two prominent figures, Anant Singh and Surajbhan Singh, who dominate the region's political narrative. The constituency will vote in the first phase on November 6.

Here's what SSP Patna, Kartikeya K Sharma, said: 

"On 30 October, there was a clash between two groups of competing candidates. Stones were pelted, resulting in injuries. A dead body was recovered after the incident. The deceased, Dularchand Yadav, aged 75 years, was a resident of the village where this clash occurred... Both sides registered cases, and police started investigating the case…Based on evidence, eyewitness accounts, and the postmortem report of the deceased, it appears that the Model Code of Conduct was violated, and it is a serious issue. It was found that all this happened in the presence of the candidate, Anant Singh, who is also the main accused in the case. Anant Singh has been arrested. His accomplices, Manikant Thakur and Ranjeet Ram, have also been arrested with him…All three will be presented before the magistrate, and due investigation will follow." 

Further details regarding the arrest of the JDU candidate are awaited.