Elections – Prashant Kishor Questions Police Action Ahead of Bankipur Bypoll Voting
Elections – Late-night political tensions surfaced in Patna on Wednesday after Jan Suraaj founder and Bankipur Assembly by-election candidate Prashant Kishor reached Jakkanpur Police Station along with a large number of party supporters. The visit followed allegations that police had taken two Jan Suraaj workers into custody without following due process. The incident unfolded just hours before polling began for the Bankipur Assembly by-election on Thursday under extensive security arrangements. Vote counting is scheduled for August 3.
Dispute Erupts Over Alleged Detention of Party Workers
According to Prashant Kishor, two members of the Jan Suraaj party were brought to Jakkanpur Police Station and kept there for several hours before being shifted to another location. He claimed that neither the workers’ families nor party representatives were informed about where they had been taken, raising concerns over the handling of the situation.
Kishor questioned the police over the absence of official records or clear information regarding the movement of the two workers. He maintained that the authorities failed to provide any satisfactory explanation about their whereabouts despite repeated inquiries.
Kishor Holds Station House Officer Accountable
During the confrontation at the police station, Kishor directly addressed Station House Officer Rituraj Kumar Singh, saying the officer would be held responsible if anything happened to the detained workers. He asserted that accountability rested with the police and warned that any harm caused to the workers could have consequences for the officer’s position.
Responding to what he described as threatening remarks from the police officer, Kishor said he was not intimidated and remarked that the officer was free to act as he considered appropriate.
Questions Raised Over Police Procedure
Kishor alleged that the Station House Officer admitted the workers had been taken away but was unable to explain who had ordered their transfer or where they had been sent. He criticized the officer for stating that he was not responsible for questioning instructions issued by senior officials.
The Jan Suraaj leader argued that the lack of documentation and the absence of clear answers reflected serious lapses in the handling of the matter. He said he was only placing before the public the information available to him regarding the incident.
Bypoll Takes Place Under Tight Security
The controversy came as polling commenced for the Bankipur Assembly by-election on Thursday with heightened security arrangements across the constituency. Election authorities deployed security personnel to ensure that voting proceeded peacefully and without disruption.
The by-election has attracted considerable political attention, with several prominent candidates in the contest. Prashant Kishor is representing Jan Suraaj, while Janashakti Janata Dal president Tej Pratap Yadav and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Neeraj Kumar Sinha are also seeking victory from the constituency.
With voting now underway, the focus is expected to remain on both the electoral process and the allegations surrounding the reported detention of party workers. Election officials are set to announce the results after the counting of votes on August 3.