Prashant Kishor Accuses Patna Police of Undermining Democracy in Bihar By-Election

Accusations Against Patna Police

Prashant Kishor, the founder of Jan Suraj, has leveled serious allegations against the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Patna during the by-election for the Bankipur assembly seat. Kishor, who is also a candidate in this election, claims that the local police and administration adopted a harsh stance over the past three days of the electoral process, intimidating voters, unlawfully detaining political leaders, and favoring a specific political party.

Formal Complaint Filed

After meeting with the Chief Electoral Officer, Kishor expressed his concerns, stating that a formal complaint has been lodged against the Patna SSP with documented evidence. This complaint addresses the police's conduct during the election period, particularly regarding their actions of intimidating voters, detaining political figures, and acting in favor of a particular party. He mentioned that the electoral officer has accepted the complaint and assured a formal investigation, promising strict action based on the findings.

Warning of Further Action

Kishor warned that if no action is taken at the local level, he would escalate the matter to the Election Commission in Delhi and, if necessary, to the courts. He emphasized that no officer, including the SSP of Patna, should be allowed to undermine democracy in Bihar or manipulate the electoral process for their agenda. He accused the police of colluding with the ruling party to intimidate voters and influence the election.

Concerns Over Election Integrity

The controversy surrounding the Bankipur by-election has arisen from allegations of systematic interference, voter suppression, and the detention of political leaders during the campaign and voting phases. On Friday, Kishor informed reporters that Jan Suraj leaders were detained at various police stations without any formal arrest records and were moved from one location to another without notice. He stated that over 16 leaders from Jan Suraj were harassed by the police from the evening until late at night, with claims of their arrests being made, although no official records were filed.

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