Patna: Once sharing the same ward and daily conversations in Patna’s Beur Jail, Bihar’s notorious bahubali politicians Ritlal Yadav and Anant Singh now find themselves separated by over 240 kilometres and a growing list of criminal charges.
The decision to move Ritlal Yadav to Bhagalpur Central Jail was taken on administrative grounds, but sources confirm the move followed security concerns raised by Patna Police, who feared the legislator’s continued influence behind bars. His alleged involvement in a recent Rs 50 lakh extortion case targeting a builder, along with suspected coordination with aides lodged in Beur Jail, prompted officials to act.
Ritlal had surrendered in court on April 17, days after a police raid across 11 of his premises led to the seizure of Rs 10.5 lakh in cash, blank cheques worth Rs 77 lakh, pen drives, and suspicious documents. He was then remanded to Beur Jail, where he was housed with fellow muscleman-turned-MLA Anant Singh under standard jail protocol for former legislators.
However, police intelligence suggested that Ritlal Yadav maintained close contact with criminal associates inside jail, raising concerns that he might orchestrate fresh criminal plots from custody. Acting on this, the district administration recommended a transfer to Bhagalpur—a more distant facility where Ritlal’s network would be effectively disrupted.
Bhagalpur Central Jail is roughly 247 km from Patna, making regular meetings and contact with his inner circle logistically challenging. Officials believe the isolation will significantly reduce the possibility of external coordination.
This is not the first time such a measure has been taken.
Anant Singh, currently in Beur Jail, was also earlier transferred to Bhagalpur after an AK-47 rifle was recovered from his residence in Barh. He returned to Beur earlier this year, only to be embroiled once again in controversy. On January 22, while on a 17-hour parole to attend a family wedding in Nauranga village, a gunfight broke out involving gangsters Sonu-Monu and Singh’s alleged supporters. Over 100 rounds were reportedly fired, with a 53-second video capturing at least 20 rounds.A fresh case was lodged against Singh under the Arms Act and attempt to murder, following which he surrendered in Barh court on January 24. The same day, gangster Sonu and Singh’s aide Roshan were arrested.
