Last Updated:
Anant Singh faces multiple criminal cases, including a 10-year sentence in one that cost him his Assembly seat and led to his disqualification
Anant Singh can take part in assembly proceedings only after securing bail and formally taking the oath. (PTI/File)
Anant Singh, an influential strongman from Bihar and JDU candidate from Mokama, has clinched a decisive victory in the state assembly elections with a margin of 29,700 votes. But even as he celebrates the win, his political future hangs in the balance after his recent arrest in connection with the weeks-old murder of Dularchand Yadav, a development that casts a shadow over his return to the legislature.
Yadav, a key local figure backing Jan Suraaj Party candidate Piyush Priyadarshi, was killed during a clash between supporters of Priyadarshi and Anant Singh.
Singh has been in jail since his arrest, raising legal and political questions about his ability to take the oath and attend the assembly.
Singh’s release hinges on several factors, including the court’s decision on whether he can take the oath. He faces numerous criminal charges, including a ten-year prison sentence in one case that led to his disqualification and the loss of his membership.
In 2020, Singh was elected as an MLA from Mokama on an RJD ticket but was disqualified due to an Arms Act conviction. However, in August 2024, the Patna High Court acquitted him in two Arms Act cases, overturning lower court decisions.
When Will The Chargesheet Be Filed?
Following the High Court’s decision, Anant Singh was released and became eligible to contest elections. But after Dularchand Yadav was killed during the assembly polls, Singh was arrested again. The chargesheet in the case is still pending. According to legal experts, it may take two to three months to file, possibly sooner. Until then, securing his release is expected to be difficult.
Doubts Over His Swearing-In
Despite his victory, Singh’s legal troubles persist. His recent arrest for Yadav’s murder has delayed his release, as the police have yet to file a chargesheet. Courts typically do not grant bail in serious murder cases, adding further uncertainty about Singh’s participation in the new assembly’s oath ceremony.
According to legal experts, after the chargesheet is filed, the court may grant him bail for the swearing-in, but it remains unclear whether he will be freed before the trial begins.
A similar situation occurred with Punjab MP Amritpal Singh, who was allowed bail only for his oath-taking and has still not been able to attend Lok Sabha proceedings.
Amritpal Singh is currently lodged in Dibrugarh Jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA). While he was granted temporary release to take his oath of office, he has since been unable to participate in Lok Sabha proceedings.
Much Will Depend On The Chargesheet
According to legal experts, Anant Singh may receive limited court relief to take oath in the Assembly, but this will hinge on the exact charges listed in the forthcoming chargesheet. Singh has repeatedly claimed he was not present during Dular Chand Yadav’s killing and had no role in it. If the investigation attributes lesser charges to him, he could secure bail and attend Assembly proceedings.
However, he continues to face several grave criminal cases, including murder, attempt to murder, and offences under the Arms Act.
When Can An Accused MLA Enter The Assembly?
Anant Singh can enter the Assembly and take part in its proceedings only after securing bail and formally taking the oath. Whether he is granted bail will depend on multiple factors, including the gravity of the charges, the evidence presented, the possibility of witness tampering, and any potential threat to public order if he is released.
Ultimately, the court will decide his fate. However, given the seriousness of the allegations, his immediate release appears unlikely.
Bihar, India, India
November 15, 2025, 13:34 IST
Read More
