The Patna Police early Sunday arrested controversial ex-MLA, Anant Singh, the JD(U) candidate from Mokama in connection with Thursday's murder of Jan Suraaj worker Dularchand Yadav.
The police, led by Patna SSP, reached Singh’s residence in Barh and later took him into custody. Singh had been under the scanner since the killing of Yadav, who recently clashed with his sympathisers in Mokama. He was brought to Patna for questioning.
Police also arrested two other persons, Manikant Thakur and Ranjeet Ram, who were also present when the incident took place. All three will soon be produced before the magistrate.
Yadav died due to a ruptured lung and multiple rib fractures during election campaigning in Mokama near Patna. He died while he was campaigning for Jan Suraaj Party's candidate Piyush Priyadarshi on Thursday.
An autopsy ruled out gunshot as the cause of death, sparking political tensions ahead of Bihar Assembly polls.
Addressing a late-night joint press conference with Patna District Magistrate Thyagarajan SM, Patna SSP, Kartikeya Sharma, said, "Police have arrested three persons — Anant Singh, Manikant Thakur and Ranjeet Ram — in connection with the murder of Dular Chand Yadav."
"The post-mortem report and preliminary investigation suggest that it’s a case of murder," he added.
The SSP further said that the initial probe revealed a clash between supporters of two rival candidates, after which Yadav’s body was recovered. FIRs were filed by both sides, and during the investigation, police found that 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."
Singh, a multiple-term former MLA, whose wife Neelam Devi currently represents the Mokama seat, has also been booked for model code of conduct violation as instances of his moving about in large cavalcades have come to the fore.
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.
Singh had alleged that the attack was a conspiracy orchestrated by former MP Suraj Bhan Singh, the husband of RJD candidate Veena Devi, who is contesting from Mokama.
"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. Suraj Bhan’s people attacked our vehicles. Dular Chand was the first to raise his hand. This entire game is being played by Suraj Bhan Singh," Singh had claimed.
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.
The poll body also ordered the transfer of Patna Superintendent of Police (Rural) and action against three other officials, taking a stern view of violence in Mokama, involving the killing of Yadav.
"The commission directed that Vikram Sihag, Superintendent of Police (Rural), Patna, may also be transferred. Hence, a panel of officers for posting a substitute in his place may be sent urgently," the poll authority told the state Chief Electoral Officer on Saturday.
It ordered the appointment of new officials to replace the sub-divisional officer of Barh, who is also the returning officer of Mokama assembly seat, sub-divisional police officer Barh-1, and sub-divisional police officer Barh-2.
While ordering disciplinary proceedings against the three, it also directed that Abhishek Singh, the sub-divisional police officer of Barh-2, also be placed under suspension.
On Friday, Patna District Magistrate and SSP visited Mokama and Barh 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.
Bihar goes to the polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, while votes will be counted on November 14.
Source: ANI