Gopalganj arms display case: Mokama MLA, Bhojpuri singer get anticipatory bail

Patna: A special MP-MLA court in Gopalganj on Monday granted anticipatory bail to six persons, including Mokama MLA Anant Singh and Bhojpuri singer Gunjan Singh, in a case related to the alleged display of firearms and obscene dancing during a sacred thread (Janeu) ceremony.The defence for Anant Singh and Gunjan Singh was led by advocate Kumar Harshvardhan of the Patna high court along with senior civil court lawyer Rajesh Pathak. Senior advocates Ramnath Sahu and Ajat Shatru represented the other accused — Guddu Rai alias Amresh Rai, Priyanshu Kumar, Shubham Kumar Rai and Vishal Rai. After hearing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution, the court allowed the anticipatory bail petitions.Meanwhile, one accused, Sunil Yadav of Manjha, remains untraceable. Named as the ninth accused, he has neither been arrested nor moved court for anticipatory bail, and police have not been able to locate him so far.The anticipatory bail pleas of two juveniles will be heard before the Juvenile Justice Board on Tuesday. Advocate Ajat Shatru, appearing for them, argued that the minors had been falsely implicated and said the defence would abide by the board’s decision.

The probe has now been handed over to the CID, with Gopalganj police transferring all relevant records to the agency for further investigation into allegations of use of prohibited weapons and obscene performances at the event.The case pertains to a Janeu ceremony held on May 2 and 3 at Semraon village under the Mirganj police station limits. The function, organised at the residence of Guddu Rai, was attended by Anant Singh and Gunjan Singh. Videos from the event later surfaced on social media, allegedly showing a dancer wielding a firearm while an obscene song was played, prompting a police inquiry.