In the thick of Bihar’s heated election season, tragedy struck Patna’s Mokama area on Thursday, October 30, 2025. Dular Chand Yadav, a figure whose life straddled the worlds of crime and politics, died during a violent clash that has since sent shockwaves through the state’s political landscape. As details have emerged, the story has become a flashpoint for debates about law, order, and the high stakes of electoral competition in one of India’s most politically charged states.
Yadav, often described as a gangster-turned-politician, was actively campaigning for Jan Suraaj Party candidate Piyush Priyadarshi when chaos erupted. According to multiple reports, the incident occurred near the jurisdictions of Bhadaur and Ghoswari police stations, areas that have now become synonymous with the violence that marred the campaign trail. The clash, which pitted supporters of local strongman and Janata Dal United (JD-U) candidate Anant Singh against those backing Priyadarshi, quickly escalated. Stones were hurled, and gunfire rang out, leaving Yadav with a bullet wound near his ankle.
Yet, in a twist that has deepened the mystery surrounding his death, the post-mortem report submitted to Patna Police revealed that the gunshot was not the fatal blow. Instead, the report stated, “The reason behind Yadav's death is cardiorespiratory failure due to shock caused by injury of the heart and lungs by a hard and blunt substance.” This finding, echoed by both India.com and PTI, contradicted early rumors that Yadav had died from the gunshot wound. Instead, trauma to his chest—inflicted by a hard, blunt object—caused the cardiorespiratory failure that ultimately claimed his life.
The site of the incident, Mokama, has long been a battleground of sorts, with political rivalries often spilling over into violence. On this particular day, purported videos of the melee quickly went viral on social media, underscoring the volatility of the atmosphere as Bihar prepared for assembly elections. The violence occurred just days before the state was set to vote in two phases, on November 6 and November 11, with the counting scheduled for November 14—a timeline that only heightened the sense of urgency and tension on the ground.
Following the fatal clash, the response from authorities was swift—at least on paper. Patna’s District Election Officer-cum-District Magistrate, along with the Senior Superintendent of Police, visited the affected areas, meeting with candidates and their representatives from both constituencies. In a statement, the Patna district administration declared, “The DM gave clear instructions that violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will not be tolerated. All stakeholders must ensure strict compliance of the poll code, otherwise strict legal action will be initiated against them.”
But the fallout extended well beyond official warnings. Three separate FIRs (First Information Reports) were registered in connection with the incident. One FIR named Anant Singh, the JD(U) candidate from Mokama, and four others as accused, based on a complaint filed by Yadav’s grandson. Another FIR was filed against six individuals following a complaint by the Prashant Kishor-led Jan Suraaj Party, while a third was initiated by police as part of their own investigation. According to both India.com and PTI, two people have been arrested so far, though the investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to determine exactly how Yadav sustained his fatal injuries and who was responsible.
The repercussions within the police force were immediate. The Station House Officers (SHOs) of both Bhadaur and Ghoswari police stations were suspended for “dereliction of duty”—a move that, while dramatic, has raised questions about whether deeper systemic issues contributed to the breakdown in law and order. As one officer put it, authorities are now “investigating how Yadav sustained the injuries and identifying those responsible.”
The death of Dular Chand Yadav has cast a long shadow over the Bihar Assembly Election, which was already poised to be a contentious affair. Yadav was considered close to RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, adding another layer of political intrigue to an already complex situation. His decision to campaign for Jan Suraaj Party’s Piyush Priyadarshi, rather than for candidates from more established parties, underscored the shifting alliances and unpredictable dynamics that have come to define Bihar politics in recent years.
For many in Bihar, the incident is a grim reminder of the risks faced by those who step into the political arena, especially in regions where power struggles are often settled outside the boundaries of democratic debate. The violence in Mokama is not without precedent, but the high profile of those involved—and the timing, so close to the polls—has ensured that this episode will not be quickly forgotten.
Meanwhile, the broader political context cannot be ignored. The Bihar Assembly Election, scheduled in two phases on November 6 and November 11, is seen as a critical test for all major parties. With the counting of votes set for November 14, every incident, every accusation, and every twist in the campaign is being watched with intense scrutiny. The presence of figures like Anant Singh—a man whose reputation as a local strongman is well known—only adds to the combustible mix of personalities and interests vying for power.
In the aftermath of Yadav’s death, political parties have traded barbs and accusations. The Jan Suraaj Party, led by political strategist Prashant Kishor, has been vocal in demanding accountability, while the JD(U) and its allies have insisted on a thorough investigation before drawing conclusions. Supporters on both sides have pointed to the violence as evidence of the stakes involved and the lengths to which rivals might go to secure victory.
As the investigation continues, many in Bihar are left grappling with uncomfortable questions: How did a campaign event turn deadly, despite the presence of law enforcement? Were the police negligent, or were they simply overwhelmed by forces beyond their control? And perhaps most pressing—will justice be served, or will this episode fade into the long list of unresolved political crimes that have punctuated the state’s history?
For now, Bihar waits. The elections will go on, as they always do, but the death of Dular Chand Yadav has added a somber note to the proceedings. In a state where politics is often a matter of life and death, his story is a stark reminder of the perils that can lie beneath the surface of democratic contest. As voters prepare to cast their ballots, the shadow of Mokama lingers, a testament to the unfinished business of justice and the enduring challenges of governance in one of India’s most dynamic states.
