The Supreme Court on Friday, 30 October 2026, directed Mokama MLA Anant Singh to surrender before authorities on or before 1 December, in connection with the murder of Dularchand Yadav during the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale also granted the Bihar Police four months to complete its investigation into the case.

Background of the Case

The directions came while the apex court was hearing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by Niraj Kumar, grandson of the deceased, challenging the bail granted to Singh by the Patna High Court on 19 March. The petitioner argued that Singh's extensive criminal antecedents had not been adequately weighed while deciding the bail application.

The case dates to 30 October 2025, when Dularchand Yadav — a Jan Suraaj Party supporter and former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader — was killed in Basawanchak village under the Ghoswari police station area of Mokama, while campaigning for the Bihar Assembly elections. According to the police investigation, an SUV allegedly ran over Yadav, causing his death on the spot. However, family members claimed he was first shot before being run over by a vehicle.

Anant Singh's Arrest and Bail History

Police identified Anant Singh as the prime accused and arrested him on the night of 1 November 2025. Two of his nephews were also arrested in connection with the case. Singh was sent to judicial custody on 2 November 2025, after earlier bail applications were rejected by the MP-MLA court. The Patna High Court subsequently granted him relief on 19 March, a decision now under challenge.

Notably, the Supreme Court had issued notice on the plea on 13 July, after the petitioner's counsel submitted that Singh had not fully disclosed his 67 criminal antecedents. Advocate Shilpi Chowdhary, appearing for the petitioner, argued that Singh's criminal history was a relevant consideration that the High Court had not adequately examined. The matter was last listed on 29 September, when the apex court deferred the hearing after Singh's counsel sought time to file a counter-affidavit — with the court making clear that no further adjournment would be entertained.

Singh Wins Election from Jail

In a striking development, Anant Singh contested the Mokama Assembly seat while in judicial custody and won the election — a pattern that has drawn attention to the nexus between criminal cases and electoral politics in Bihar.

JD(U) Expulsion and Disqualification Proceedings

Adding to Singh's political troubles, the Janata Dal (United) expelled him and his wife, former MLA Neelam Devi, from the party for six years over alleged anti-party activities during the recent Bihar Legislative Council elections. The party cited Singh's decision to oppose the JD(U) candidate Neeraj Kumar in the Patna Graduates' constituency election and campaign for Anuj Singh, a candidate associated with Jan Suraaj.

The JD(U) has also written to the Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly seeking action against Singh's membership under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with disqualification on grounds of defection. With a surrender deadline set and an investigation timeline fixed, the case now enters a critical phase that could determine Singh's legislative future.