Prashant Kishor Alleges Police Misconduct During Bihar By-Elections

Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraj, has accused the Patna police of unlawfully detaining his party members during the Bankipur by-election. He claims that over 54 individuals were arrested, many of whom were local residents, and disputes the SSP's assertion that only outsiders were involved. Kishor questions the integrity of the police's actions and emphasizes that his party will not be intimidated. With the vote counting approaching, he insists on transparency and accountability from law enforcement. This situation raises significant concerns about the conduct of police during elections and the implications for democratic processes in Bihar.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 2, 2026, 17:07 IST

Complaint Filed Against Patna Police

On Sunday, Prashant Kishor, the founder of Jan Suraj, announced that his party has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the Patna police. He accused the police of unlawfully detaining leaders and workers of Jan Suraj at the behest of the BJP during the Bankipur assembly by-election. Kishor stated that in the two days leading up to the voting on Thursday, the police apprehended 54 individuals, many of whom were local residents.

SSP's Claims Disputed

During a press conference, Kishor refuted the claims made by Patna's SSP Kartikeya K. Sharma, asserting that the police had arrested outsiders. He emphasized, "We have provided evidence to the Election Commission showing that many of those detained were local residents who had not violated any laws." Present at the conference were individuals whose families had been taken by the police from their homes during the night.

Questioning the Arrests

Kishor pointed out that among the 54 detained, over 18 were from Bankipur itself, asserting that they were not causing any disturbances. He raised a critical question: how could a person peacefully sleeping at home disrupt law and order?

Criticism of SSP's Conduct

Kishor directed sharp criticism at SSP Kartikeya K. Sharma, accusing him of failing to act impartially and attempting to influence the election. He remarked, "If the SSP wishes to engage in politics, he should resign from his position. It is unacceptable to influence politics while holding a government post. We are not intimidated by him." Kishor also claimed that the DGP of Bihar assured him that the SSP would have no role during the vote counting on Monday.

Personal Accounts from Election Day

Voting for the Bankipur by-election took place on July 30, with the counting scheduled for August 3. Kishor noted that while his party members were detained, no action was taken against any BJP individuals. Local resident Naval Kishore Gupta recounted that police took him from his home at 2 AM on Thursday without providing a reason. He alleged that the police aimed to prevent him from voting, although he was eventually allowed to cast his vote at 5 PM. Additionally, party supporter Nibha Bhushan claimed that unknown individuals entered his home while he was assisting elderly residents and threatened him.