Patna: The Patna High Court has restrained authorities from taking punitive action against Patna mayor Sita Sahu and her son, Shishir Kumar, even as police have moved to cancel his bail in two ongoing cases.
Justice Shailendra Singh issued the interim order after hearing a criminal writ petition filed by the mayor and her son, while also seeking a response from the Bihar government. Patna’s senior superintendent of police, Kartikeya K Sharma, confirmed that proceedings to revoke Kumar’s bail were under way, though the process could take time.
Kumar, who faces a string of serious allegations including murder, assault, intimidation and misconduct at civic body meetings, was granted interim relief from arrest by the court last week. Soon after the order, he appeared at the Bharatiya Janata party’s state headquarters in Patna, where he announced his intention to contest the next assembly elections on a BJP ticket.
The mayor’s son had been absconding for nearly a month before the court order. In July, during the ninth general meeting of the Patna Municipal Corporation, he allegedly arrived with armed men and bouncers, assaulting and abusing ward councillors. The municipal commissioner subsequently requested state action, and Kumar was barred from attending civic meetings. Officials also accused his security personnel of openly displaying weapons in corporation premises, creating an atmosphere of fear among employees.
Despite the accusations, Kumar remains a member of the BJP’s state working committee. His appearance at the party office, where he spoke to senior leaders and claimed he would secure a ticket for the upcoming elections, has fuelled speculation over the party’s stance.
Multiple criminal cases are registered against Kumar, including a murder case (No. 511/24) at Alamganj police station and separate cases of assault and intimidation filed by municipal staff and councillors. Allegations also include harassment of women, threats of dismissal, and involvement in land-related disputes.
