Don-turned-MLA Anant Singh released on bail

Don-turned-politician Anant Singh walked out of Patna's Beur Central jail on Saturday, almost 22 months after he was put behind the bars in an alleged kidnapping and murder case.

While Singh, an independent MLA from Mokama, had been granted bail in other cases against him, on Friday, a special Gaya court granted him bail in a case related to making derogatory comments against the then Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi in February 2015, following which he was released on Saturday.

A small crowd of Singh's supporters had gathered outside the Beur jail hearing of his release, though police had stepped up security measures and no untoward incidents were reported.

Speaking to media persons outside Beur, Singh said, "I had faith in the judiciary. Even though it took time, I am out." Singh, who was earlier a part of the ruling Janata Dal (United), refrained from making any comments on the Mahagathabandhan government.

He said, "I will go to the temple right now before heading to my constituency and home. I will move around among the people and ask them about the Mahagathbandhan government."

The Patna district administration had recommended to invoke Crime Control Act (CCA) against him, apprehending law and order issued in Mokama area if he was released from jail. The state home department and the Patna high court had approved the recommendation. However, the Supreme Court had set aside the decision to invoke CCA, earlier this month.