Patna: The MP-MLA court has rejected the bail plea of former Mokama MLA Anant Singh in connection with the Mokama shootout case. The decision, delivered on Thursday, means that Singh will now have to seek bail from a higher court.
A hearing on his bail application took place on Wednesday, after which the court had reserved its verdict. Singh’s legal team argued that there was no direct evidence of him firing any shots during the incident.
During the court proceedings, Anant Singh’s lawyer contended that his client was not personally involved in the firing. “Nobody saw Anant Singh firing a bullet. As a public representative, he had merely sent someone to call Sonu-Monu for a discussion regarding the Panchayat. It was Monu who fired, and the bullet hit Uday Yadav, a supporter of Anant Singh. Therefore, charges under Section 307 (attempt to murder) and the Arms Act do not apply to my client, and he should be granted bail,” the lawyer argued.
In an earlier hearing on January 30, the Patna Civil Court’s ACJM-1 had directed the police to present the case diary before proceeding further.
The incident took place on January 22 in Nauranga village, where Anant Singh and his supporters reportedly clashed with gangster Sonu-Monu’s group. During the altercation, nearly 100 rounds of gunfire were exchanged. A 53-second video of the shootout went viral, in which about 20 gunshots could be heard.
Following the viral video, the police registered a case against Anant Singh under multiple sections, including the Arms Act and attempt to murder. Singh was also accused of pushing police personnel, using abusive language, and obstructing government work.
On January 24, police arrested gangster Sonu and Anant Singh’s supporter Roshan in connection with the case. Shortly after, Anant Singh surrendered in the Barh court, following which he was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody in Beur jail.
Before being taken to jail, Singh made a defiant statement, saying, “If there is injustice against the people, I will not remain silent. I am not afraid of going to jail.”
With his bail plea rejected, his legal team is now preparing to file an appeal in a higher court in an attempt to secure his release.
