Supreme Court issues notice to Bihar Government against plea challenging Anand Mohan’s premature release

On May 08, 2023, the Supreme Court of India issued a notice to Bihar Government in a petition challenging the premature release of politician Anand Mohan, founder of the now-defunct Bihar People’s Party (BPP). Mr. Mohan was convicted of instigating the mob lynching which resulted in the death of Gopalganj District Magistrate G Krishnaiah. Earlier on May 01, 2023, the matter was mentioned before the Supreme Court bench for urgent listing whereas the petition was filed by Uma Krishnaiah, widow of the deceased District Magistrate. Today, the matter was presented before a two-judge bench, Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Surya Kant. After hearing the Supreme Court bench’s order to issue a notice, Uma Krishnaiah said, “We are happy that the Supreme Court has responded positively and issued a notice to the Bihar government and to other people who are involved in it. They have to reply within 2 weeks.” 

On April 27, 2023, the gangster-turned-politician walked free from Saharsa jail after serving 14 years of imprisonment. He was sentenced to death in 2007 by the trial Court but a year later the same was commuted to life imprisonment by the Patna High Court. During the hearing today, the petitioner submitted, “Life imprisonment, when awarded as a substitute for death penalty, has to be carried out strictly as directed by the court and would be beyond application of remission.” Earlier, after the release of Mohan, Uma Krishnaiah stated that “Nitish Kumar is setting a horrible precedent by releasing a person convicted of murder. It will embolden criminals to attack government officials because they know they can easily get out of prison. For just a few Rajput votes, he has taken a decision that has so many consequences for the common people. The Rajput community should think over this, Whether they want a criminal like Anand Mohan to represent them in politics.” She also asked, “I think Prime Minister Narendra Modi should intervene and impress upon Nitish Kumar to withdraw this decision. My husband was an IAS officer, and it is the Centre’s responsibility to ensure that justice is done. I was not happy when they were given life imprisonment instead of the death penalty. Now, I have to contend with the fact that his killers are being released from prison without even serving the full sentence. Nitish Kumar may win a few seats or may even form the government, but will people have faith in such politicians and such a government?”