Bihar legislator named in kidnapping and murder case

Bihar legislator Anant Singh of the ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) was named an accused in the kidnapping and murder of a farmer, police said today.

Police in Patna have filed a complaint against Anant Singh, accused of kidnapping and killing farmer Abhay Singh.

Patna Superintendent of Police Jayant Kant said an FIR was lodged at Beur police station here against Anant Singh. "Abhay Singh's son Raju Kumar had lodged a case Tuesday against Anant Singh for the kidnap and murder of his father," Kant said.

Police is yet to recover the body of Abhay Singh.

In his complaint, Raju said that on February 14, Anant Singh along with his associates arrived at the house of the farmer and took Abhay away forcibly. Since then, his father has remained missing, Raju said. The son suspects that his father has been killed.

Raju said Anant Singh had assured him on Feb 17 that his father would return safe, in a day or two. When his father failed to return, he approached the police, Raju said.

Anant Singh, locally known as 'Chhote Sarkar', is feared for his money and muscle power.

He is considered close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and seen as a terror in Bihar. He has over two dozen criminal charges against him. Six years ago, he was arrested with four of his henchmen for attacking journalists. He was granted bail in that case three years ago.

In 2004, Singh brandished an AK-47 rifle in public, but no action was taken against him. Under the law, only security personnel are allowed to carry the assault rifle.
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