Jan Suraj alleges illegal detention as Prashant Kishor’s health worsens during hunger strike

Patna: Prashant Kishor, political strategist and leader of the Jan Suraj Party, remains in critical condition on the eighth day of his hunger strike. Admitted to the ICU at Medanta Hospital in Patna, Kishor began his fast unto death on January 2 in protest against alleged irregularities in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exams.

Jan Suraj leaders have leveled serious allegations against the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government, accusing it of violating legal procedures during Kishor’s detention. At a press conference led by Jan Suraj president Manoj Bharti on Thursday, the party claimed that Kishor was taken to Beur Jail without proper custody papers, prompting the jail superintendent to refuse his entry.

“Blankets and mufflers treated as weapons,” says advocate
Advocate Amit Kumar criticized the Bihar Police for filing charges under sections that imply the use of deadly weapons and rioting. “This was a peaceful satyagraha. Not a single protester carried a stick, let alone a weapon. Does the Bihar government consider blankets and mufflers as weapons?” he remarked.

He also highlighted that the FIR against Kishor and protesting BPSC students includes bailable sections, yet the charges seem exaggerated. “Bihar Police has turned this satyagraha into a riot on paper. It’s absurd,” he added.

Irregularities in arrest procedure
Youth president Anand Mishra accused the police of procedural violations, citing the absence of identification by officers who came to arrest Kishor. “None of the officers had nameplates, ranks, or IDs. This raises serious doubts. Were they even real officers of Bihar Police, or was this something else entirely?” he asked.

Mishra also pointed to the failure of police to follow the Supreme Court’s DK Basu guidelines, which mandate officers reveal their identity during arrests. He called for an explanation from the DGP of Bihar Police.

Pressure on AIIMS administration
Jan Suraj spokesperson Kishore Kumar Munna alleged that police tried to coerce AIIMS Patna staff into admitting Kishor without proper documentation. “At 4 am, they brought Prashant ji to AIIMS and pressured the doctors to conduct a medical checkup. The administration rightly refused without the necessary papers,” he said.

Bail with conditions
Advocate Amit Kumar detailed the conditions of Kishor’s bail PR bond, which include cooperating with police investigations and appearing in court during the trial. However, he questioned the legality of Kishor’s arrest and subsequent transfer to Beur Jail without being taken to the Gandhi Maidan police station, where the FIR was lodged.

Political and legal battle intensifies
The Jan Suraj Party has vowed to fight the case legally and politically, accusing the Bihar government of suppressing dissent and targeting peaceful protesters. As Kishor’s health deteriorates, the party has demanded a transparent inquiry into the alleged irregularities and violations surrounding his detention.