An FIR has been registered against Union Minister Lalan Singh after a viral video showed him telling supporters to “keep opposition leaders inside their homes” on polling day in Bihar’s Mokama constituency. Authorities booked him under the Representation of the People Act after reviewing surveillance footage.
PATNA: The Patna district administration has filed a first information report (FIR) against Union Minister of Panchayati Raj and senior Janata Dal (United) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, for allegedly violating election rules during a campaign event in Bihar’s Mokama constituency.
The minister is accused of asking his supporters to confine opposition leaders to their homes on the day of polling while campaigning for jailed JD(U) candidate Anant Singh.
Officials confirmed that the FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Representation of the People Act after authorities reviewed a video recorded by the surveillance team deployed by the Election Commission.
The footage allegedly captured Lalan Singh telling JD(U) workers to prevent opposition leaders from stepping out of their houses on the voting day.
In the video, Lalan Singh was heard saying,
“There are a few leaders, don’t let them step out of their homes on polling day. Keep them inside. If they make a fuss, take them to vote and then send them home to rest.”
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) shared this video on social media platforms, accusing the Union Minister of attempting to influence the election process and undermining the authority of the Election Commission.
Following this, the Patna district administration issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), saying,
“The footage of the video surveillance team was examined by the Patna District administration. Following the investigation, in this case, an FIR has been registered against Lalan Singh under the relevant sections of the Indian Citizen Security Code and the Representation of the People Act.”
RJD spokesperson Priyanka Bharti strongly criticized the Election Commission for remaining silent over the issue.
She wrote on X,
“Union Minister Lalan Singh is driving a bulldozer over the Election Commission’s chest… saying the poor should not be allowed to vote. Where is the ‘dead’ Commission? Will you wake up and verify the authenticity of this video showing such strongman behavior?”
The Congress party also targeted the BJP-JDU alliance, accusing them of trying to suppress voters. In a post, Congress said,
“Those who are going to vote against BJP-JDU, don’t let them step out of their homes on election day. Will the ‘impartial’ Election Commission take any action on this? Or will it continue to pat BJP-JDU leaders on the back, as always?”
Meanwhile, JD(U) candidate Anant Singh, for whom Lalan Singh was campaigning, is currently lodged in Beur Jail in Patna. He faces serious criminal charges, including his alleged involvement in the murder of 75-year-old gangster-turned-politician Dularchand Yadav.
Yadav was shot dead during a violent clash between rival political groups on October 27. Anant Singh and two others were later arrested in connection with the case.
Adding to the controversy, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has sought clarification from the Bihar Police on how Anant Singh, despite being in custody, managed to travel with a convoy of around 50 vehicles.
The matter has raised further questions about the fairness and transparency of the ongoing election process in the state.
The FIR against Lalan Singh marks a significant legal and political development ahead of the Bihar Assembly bypolls, highlighting concerns over adherence to the Model Code of Conduct and the Election Commission’s ability to ensure free and fair elections in the state.
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