From Prison to Parliament: Anant Singh Sworn In

New Delhi, February 3, 2026: In a scene that highlights the intricate and often controversial intersection of crime and politics in Bihar, JD(U) strongman Anant Kumar Singh took his oath as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The ceremony took place while Singh remains in judicial custody for the alleged murder of Dularchand Yadav.

A Rare Entrance: From Prison to Assembly

Anant Singh, the newly elected representative from Mokama, was brought to the Bihar Vidhan Sabha in a high-security prison vehicle. Having been denied bail since his arrest in late 2025, Singh was granted special permission by a Patna court to attend the assembly proceedings briefly under parole for the sole purpose of fulfilling his constitutional obligation.

The atmosphere in the House was charged as Singh, popularly known as “Chhote Sarkar,” entered the premises. Clad in his signature style, he proceeded to the well of the House to take his oath. In a notable moment of political deference, Singh touched the feet of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to seek his blessings before being escorted back to Beur Jail.

The Case: The Murder of Dularchand Yadav

The legal shadow hanging over Singh’s victory stems from the violent events of October 30, 2025. During the peak of the Bihar Assembly election campaign, a clash broke out in the Tal area of Mokama between supporters of Anant Singh and those of the Jan Suraaj Party, founded by Prashant Kishor.

• The Victim: Dularchand Yadav, a local political worker and supporter of the Jan Suraaj candidate, was killed during the confrontation.
• The Allegations: According to police reports, Yadav was shot in the leg before a vehicle—allegedly part of Singh’s convoy—was driven over him.
• The Arrest: Patna Police arrested Singh on November 1, 2025, naming him a primary accused. He has remained behind bars ever since, with courts repeatedly rejecting his bail pleas due to the gravity of the charges and his extensive criminal record.

Electoral Dominance Despite Incarceration

Despite being behind bars during the polling period, Singh’s influence in Mokama remained unshaken. In the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, he secured a decisive victory, defeating his closest rival, Veena Devi of the RJD, by a margin of over 28,000 votes.

This victory marked Singh’s sixth term as an MLA, reinforcing his status as one of the state’s most enduring “bahubalis” (strongmen). His win contributed to the NDA’s historic landslide victory, where the alliance crossed the 200-seat mark in the 243-member assembly.

Political Reactions

Outside the assembly, Singh briefly interacted with the media, maintaining his innocence. “I am innocent, and I will get justice from the court,” he stated. He also took a sharp swipe at the Leader of the Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav, claiming the RJD leader’s political career was “finished.”

While his supporters celebrated the oath-taking as a victory for the people of Mokama, opposition leaders and civil society members have raised concerns regarding the “criminalization of politics.” The Jan Suraaj Party has been particularly vocal, citing the incident as evidence of the need for a “systemic overhaul” in Bihar’s political landscape.

What’s Next?

While Anant Singh is now officially an MLA, his ability to participate in legislative sessions remains restricted. His political future and stay in the Assembly depend entirely on the upcoming trial in the Dularchand Yadav murder case. Under current Indian law, a conviction with a sentence of two years or more would lead to his immediate disqualification from the House.