Patna: In a major political development ahead of the Bihar Assembly bypolls, Janata Dal (United) candidate and former Mokama MLA Anant Singh was arrested late Saturday night in connection with the murder of Jan Suraaj Party worker Dularchand Yadav. The arrest has sent shockwaves through Bihar’s political circles, especially as Singh, a controversial strongman, was actively campaigning until hours before his detention.
According to Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya Sharma, Singh was apprehended along with his two associates — Manikant Thakur and Ranjit Ram — from Bedna village following an extensive police operation involving nearly 150 personnel. The operation, which began late Saturday night, was conducted at Singh’s Barh residence near Patna. After his arrest, Singh was brought to Patna for interrogation.
“Based on the evidence, eyewitness accounts, and the postmortem report, it was established that the Model Code of Conduct was violated and the incident occurred in the presence of candidate Anant Singh, who is the main accused in the case,” SSP Sharma said in a statement. “His accomplices, Manikant Thakur and Ranjeet Ram, have also been arrested. All three will be presented before the magistrate and due investigation will follow,” he added.
The case pertains to the killing of 75-year-old Dularchand Yadav, a former RJD leader and Jan Suraaj worker, who was attacked on October 30 in Mokama Tal while campaigning for Jan Suraaj candidate Piyush Priyadarshi. A violent clash broke out between rival groups of political supporters, leading to stone-pelting, gunfire, and eventually, Yadav’s death.
Eyewitnesses claimed that Yadav was first shot by an unidentified assailant and then run over by a vehicle. The postmortem report released on Friday confirmed that Yadav’s ribcage was crushed, suggesting he was indeed run over after being shot. An FIR filed by Yadav’s grandson Neeraj Kumar named Anant Singh, his nephews Karamveer and Ranveer, and two others as accused. Police sources indicated that more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.
Patna District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S.M. said the administration was taking the incident “very seriously.” He assured that the Model Code of Conduct will be strictly enforced during the elections and directed that all licensed arms be deposited to ensure peace and security.
Reacting to the arrest, Jan Suraaj candidate Piyush Priyadarshi welcomed the move but criticized the delay in action. “This is a good gesture, but the arrest should have happened earlier. Even after the FIR was filed, Anant Singh continued campaigning in a convoy of 50 vehicles. The timing raises questions, but better late than never. Now the focus should be on a fair investigation,” he told ANI.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) took strong action in the wake of the killing, holding several officials accountable for negligence. The poll body replaced the Patna Rural SP and Mokama Returning Officer, suspended SDPO Abhishek Singh, and initiated disciplinary proceedings against three others. The ECI has sought a compliance report by 12 noon on November 2, 2025.
The Mokama Assembly seat, scheduled to vote on November 6, has long been infamous for the dominance of “bahubalis” (musclemen) in its political landscape. The killing of Dularchand Yadav has not only reignited concerns over law and order in Bihar but also heightened political tensions, with opposition leaders, including RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, slamming the Nitish Kumar-led government for its “failure to ensure a peaceful poll environment.”
