Patna: JD(U) candidate and former MLA Anant Singh was arrested by Patna police shortly after midnight on Saturday in connection with the murder of RJD leader Dular Chand Yadav earlier this week. The arrest followed a late-night operation led by Patna SSP Kartikeya Sharma, who confirmed that Singh and two others were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the crime.
Addressing a press conference past midnight, SSP Sharma stated, “Three persons, including Anant Singh, have been arrested in connection with the unfortunate incident in Mokama involving stone-pelting between two rival groups, resulting in the murder of one person. I assure the voters of Patna that they can vote fearlessly, as Patna Police will ensure peaceful elections.”
The SSP further revealed that around 80 people have been arrested in connection with the stone-pelting incident, while three—including Singh—were charged directly in the murder case. The investigation remains ongoing.
Police sources said heavy security was deployed around the Mokama residence where Singh was staying. SSP Sharma personally met Singh, who has a long history of criminal cases, and persuaded him to surrender. Singh cooperated and accompanied the police to Patna, where he was presented before a magistrate and later sent to judicial custody. Before his arrest, Singh instructed his supporters to maintain peace and avoid protests.
The murder of Dular Chand Yadav on October 30 has triggered major political tension in Bihar. Opposition parties have accused the state government of failing to act promptly, prompting the Election Commission to issue notices to the Bihar Chief Secretary and DGP while transferring the Rural SP.
JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar commented, “I will not talk about the incident, but it underlines the fact that under Nitish Kumar, there is no interference in police functioning—whoever it may be.”
The victim, Dular Chand Yadav, was a longtime RJD supporter and a close aide of Lalu Prasad Yadav, though he was recently campaigning for Jan Suraaj Party candidate Piyush Priyadarshi instead of the RJD nominee.
Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor condemned the murder, saying, “The deceased was not a member of Jan Suraaj but was supporting our candidate. In a democracy, there can be debates, arguments, charges, and allegations—but not murder.”
The incident has escalated tensions in Mokama just days ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls, scheduled in the constituency for November 6.
