Set To Win Bihar Polls, Can ‘Baahubali’ Anant Singh Become MLA Despite Being Jailed On Murder Charge?

Last Updated:November 14, 2025, 12:26 IST

The Mokama seat, where polling on November 6 saw a 64 per cent turnout, remains firmly in Anant Singh’s grip.

Anant Singh is leading by over 11,000 votes. (Photo: ANI/X)

The 2025 Bihar assembly results are not yet officially out, but Anant Singh is already celebrating a victory he seems certain will be his. On Friday morning, as counting began across the state, the jailed JD(U) strongman, through his supporters, told reporters that a grand feast had been prepared back home, complete with two lakh gulab jamuns ready to be distributed. For Singh, winning from Mokama was never in doubt; the only question now is whether a man inside Beur Jail on murder charges can once again take oath as an MLA.

The Mokama seat, where polling on November 6 saw a 64 per cent turnout, remains firmly in Anant Singh’s grip. After winning in 2015 as an Independent and again in 2020 on an RJD ticket, Singh is now contesting for JD(U) and is once more comfortably ahead.

His key challenger, RJD’s Veena Devi, wife of his long-standing rival Surajbhan Singh, is trailing by over 11,000 votes. Singh’s lead has continued to widen after eight rounds of counting, according to the Election Commission’s data.

The ‘Bahubali’ Of Mokana

Anant Singh, famously known as “Chhote Sarkar", is among the most notorious yet popular political figures in Bihar. His political journey cannot be separated from his long criminal history: over 50 cases of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, extortion, land grabbing and arms violations have been registered against him over four decades since 1979.

Despite the rap sheet, Singh retains strong support in Mokama, where many see him as a protector of his caste and community. Critics call him the face of Bihar’s muscle-driven politics, while supporters portray him as a ‘Robin Hood’ who fought rival gangs and hostile governments.

Hostage Drama And Media Fright

Singh first gained national notoriety in 2007 when journalists were allegedly held hostage at his government bungalow. They had gone to question him about his alleged involvement in the murder and assault of Reshma Khatoon, whose body was found stuffed in a sack.

AK-47 Case

One of the most high-profile controversies erupted in 2019, when police raided Singh’s ancestral home and recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and magazines. He was convicted in 2022 and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment under the Arms Act and UAPA. Later, the Patna High Court reportedly granted relief, with questions raised over evidence and political motivations surrounding the case.

Land Encroachment Allegations

Singh has repeatedly been accused of encroaching land, most notably over 10,000 sq ft in Patliputra Colony near his luxury hotel, Buddha Heritage. Following public pressure and intervention by a state minister, Singh eventually vacated the land.

The Dularchand Yadav Murder Case

Days before voting, on October 30, 2025, Jan Suraaj Party worker Dularchand Yadav died under mysterious circumstances during a political clash in Mokama. The postmortem revealed that he died of cardiorespiratory failure caused by a hard, blunt-force injury to the heart and lungs.

Anant Singh was arrested on November 2 based on eyewitness statements and preliminary investigation. He insists he was nowhere near the scene and alleges political conspiracy. The case intensified caste tensions, Singh is a Bhumihar, Yadav belonged to the OBC Yadav community. He remains in jail.

Kidnapping And Murder Of 4 Youths

Singh was accused of kidnapping four young men accused of harassing a girl related to one of his associates. One of them, Puttus Yadav, was allegedly murdered. Singh was arrested in 2015 in connection with this case, triggering a scuffle with Patna City SP Chandan Kushwaha during his transfer.

Can Anant Singh Become MLA While In Jail?

Anant Singh can legally become an MLA even while in jail. Indian law bars only those who have been convicted and sentenced to two years or more, and Singh is currently an undertrial in judicial custody, not a convict.

Under the Representation of the People Act, undertrials are allowed to contest and win elections, and they can also take oath as legislators with court permission. If Singh wins, he may require parole or interim relief to appear for the oath-taking ceremony, but he remains fully eligible to serve as an MLA unless he is convicted and handed a sentence of two years or more.

Bihar Assembly Election Results 2025

Across Bihar, the NDA surged ahead, leading in nearly 190 of the state’s 243 seats, far above the 122 needed for a majority. The BJP hovered around 87 seats, JD(U) around 75, and the Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD, lagged far behind with just about 35 seats in early trends.

News elections Set To Win Bihar Polls, Can ‘Baahubali’ Anant Singh Become MLA Despite Being Jailed On Murder Charge?

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