Early Life and Background
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Date of Birth: 5 March 1965 (Wikipedia)
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Place of Birth: Mokama, Bihar, India. (Wikipedia)
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Family & Early Circumstances: Born into a poor farming family in Mokama. He had at least two brothers. (Wikipedia)
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Education / Early Life: Information on his formal education is less documented publicly. He emerged from rural Bihar and built a political base through grass-roots influence and local power networks. (Many reports describe him as a “strongman” type politician). (Wikipedia)
Entry into Politics & Rise
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MLA from Mokama: Surajbhan’s political career formally took off in 2000, when he contested the Bihar Legislative Assembly election as an independent from Mokama constituency. He defeated Dilip Singh (brother of Anant Singh, who is a longstanding strongman-politician in the region) by a large margin. (Wikipedia)
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At that time, police records credited him with a number of criminal cases across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Even so, his political influence started to grow owing to electoral success and his control over local networks. (Wikipedia)
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Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha): He was elected to the Lok Sabha (lower house of India’s Parliament) in 2004, from the Balia constituency (Bihar), on a ticket of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). (Wikipedia)
Key Political Positions & Roles
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Party Affiliation:
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Party Positions:
Legal Troubles & Controversies
Surajbhan Singh’s life in politics has been deeply intertwined with legal cases, criminal allegations, and convictions. Some major issues include:
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Rami Singh Murder Case (1992)
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He was accused and later convicted in a case involving the murder of a farmer named Rami Singh in Madhurapur, Begusarai district on 16 January 1992. This was over a land dispute. (The Times of India)
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In June 2008, a fast-track court found him guilty and awarded him a life sentence in that case. (Hindustan Times)
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Other Accusations & Cases
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Arrest warrants have been issued in relation to other serious allegations, including extortion, kidnapping, looting, and further murder charges. (Hindustan Times)
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He has been said to be involved in a double murder of RJD leaders (Akhilesh Rai and Ram Udesh Rai) in 2006 according to a police report. (Hindustan Times)
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Impact on Electoral Eligibility
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Because of his conviction, especially the one in the Rami Singh murder case, he is legally barred (debarred) from contesting elections under Indian law (Representation of People Act) because the conviction carries more than two years’ imprisonment. (Wikipedia)
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Family & Personal Tragedy
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His son, Ashutosh, died in a car accident on Greater Noida Expressway on 27 October 2018. (Wikipedia)
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Later Political Moves & Recent Developments
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Change in Party Lines / Alliances
There has been significant realignment in his political alliances in recent years:-
He was part of the LJP, then in the rebel group supporting Pashupati Kumar Paras against Chirag Paswan. (The New Indian Express)
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As of October 2025, reports suggest that Surajbhan Singh, along with his wife Veena Devi and his brother Chandan Singh, is joining the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) (led by Lalu-Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav). That move is being seen as a blow to the RLJP / Paras. (Live Hindustan)
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Electoral Contests & Seat of Influence
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Mokama (in Patna district) remains his stronghold. He first rose to power there. The seat carries symbolic weight because of rivalries such as with Anant Singh. In the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, there is buzz about a confrontation in Mokama which is being framed as reminiscent of earlier rivalries between Surajbhan Singh and Anant Singh. (Navbharat Times)
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His appointment in party structures (e.g. RLJP’s parliamentary board) underscores his continuing influence even while barred from contesting, via party positions and as a political strategist. (The Week)
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Public Image & Controversial Reputation
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Often described in media as a “don-turned-politician” or a “strongman” given his criminal record and use of muscle/power in local politics. (Hindustan Times)
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His political weight is less in legislative contributions (given his legal issues / disqualifications) and more via local influence, caste and community support networks, and strategic positioning within parties.
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There is also criticism and opposition, especially from rivals and civil society, over the intertwining of crime and politics in his career.
Interesting Facts
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Despite being convicted and legally disbarred from contesting, Surajbhan Singh has remained a central figure in Bihar politics through family members (wife and brother), party posts, and alliances. (Wikipedia)
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His family is politically active: his wife, Veena Devi, has served as Member of Parliament; his brother, Chandan Singh, also has held MP status. (Wikipedia)
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The legal case that convicted him (Rami Singh murder) dates to the early 1990s (1992), but verdicts came much later and impacted his political career years afterward. (The Times of India)
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He has been appointed to high responsibility roles within his party/faction (working president, parliamentary board head), showing that even when barred from contesting, political influence doesn’t always depend on being in electoral contests directly. (ABP News)
FAQs
Q1. Can Surajbhan Singh contest elections now?
Answer: No. Due to his conviction in the Rami Singh murder case, he is legally barred from contesting elections under Indian electoral law. (Wikipedia)
Q2. Which parties has he been associated with?
Answer: He began as an independent (2000), then joined the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Later during party splits he aligned with the Pashupati Kumar Paras led RLJP. Most recently, reports say he (along with family members) is joining the RJD. (Wikipedia)
Q3. What major convictions does he have?
Answer: The principal conviction is for the murder of Rami Singh in 1992, relating to a land dispute. He was sentenced to life imprisonment by a fast-track court in 2008. (The Times of India)
Q4. What is his current influence in Bihar politics despite legal challenges?
Answer: Even though he cannot contest, Surajbhan Singh wields influence through his family (his wife Veena Devi, his brother Chandan Singh), through party offices (working president, head of parliamentary board), and by forging alliances and switching affiliations. The regions where he has strong grassroots and caste/community ties remain politically important (e.g., Mokama). (The Week)
Q5. Has there been any recent news or changes?
Answer: Yes. The key recent developments include:
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In February 2024, he was appointed head of the parliamentary board of RLJP. (The Week)
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In October 2025, he and his family are reported to be joining the RJD (National People’s Party of Bihar) — a significant political shift. (Live Hindustan)
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Also, in Bihar Assembly election 2025, Mokama is a focal seat and Surajbhan Singh’s name (or his preference) is being floated as a candidate or influencer in that contest. (Navbharat Times)

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