Begusarai: The MP-MLA court in Begusarai on Tuesday delivered its verdict in a 33-year-old case involving an attack on a police team, convicting former MP Suraj Bhan Singh alongside two other political figures. Singh was sentenced to one year in prison, while former BJP district president Ram Lakhan Singh and Virendra Ishwar received four-year terms.
The case, dating back to October 9, 1992, involved an attack on a police team at a wax factory in Barauni. According to police records, armed miscreants opened fire as officers arrived at the site, leading to the arrests of Ram Lakhan Singh and Virendra Ishwar, while Suraj Bhan Singh initially fled. Inspector Uma Shankar Singh of the FCI police station filed the case, which was pursued over three decades with testimony from a dozen witnesses before the MP-MLA court.
Judge Sanjay Kumar handed down the sentences under multiple charges, including attempted murder, obstruction of public servants and sections of the Arms Act. Suraj Bhan Singh was sentenced to one year under Section 353, while Ram Lakhan Singh’s cumulative punishment amounted to 12 years. However, the court ultimately awarded him four years’ imprisonment alongside Virendra Ishwar.
While Suraj Bhan Singh was granted bail after his one-year sentence, Ram Lakhan Singh and Virendra Ishwar were sent to jail. Ram Lakhan Singh’s health deteriorated following his imprisonment and, due to his ongoing dialysis treatment, he was admitted to the ICU at Begusarai Sadar Hospital late on Tuesday night.
BJP workers described the episode as an “unfortunate incident” during a period of political struggle. Ram Lakhan Singh, who had contested multiple assembly and parliamentary seats over his career, served twice as BJP’s district president and also held a state ministerial post.
