Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor on Monday launched a scathing attack on Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, alleging that he had escaped trial in a decades-old murder case by “falsely” claiming to be a minor before the Supreme Court.
Kishor said the matter was serious and vowed to seek the Governor’s intervention for the Deputy Chief Minister’s removal, urging Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the BJP to act promptly.
Allegation of evading trial in 1995 mass murder
Prashant Kishor alleged that Samrat Choudhary had faced trial in a case involving the murder of six people in his native Tarapur, Munger district, in 1995.
According to Kishor, Choudhary approached the Supreme Court claiming he was only 14 years old at the time, and thus could not be tried as an adult.
However, Kishor pointed out that Choudhary’s 2020 affidavit stated his age as 51, which would place him in his 20s in 1995, making him legally liable for prosecution.
Kishor termed this as a “serious charge” against the Deputy CM.
“We will seek an appointment with the Governor tomorrow to press for Choudhary’s sacking. We also urge Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his ally BJP to act now, else they shall stand exposed before the people,” Kishor said.
Challenge over alleged academic misconduct
Kishor also revisited his earlier allegations against Choudhary, claiming he had obtained a D.Litt degree without clearing Class X exams.
Kishor described those charges as “less grave” compared to the current ones.
Shilpi-Gautam murder case
Adding to the controversy, Kishor raised questions over Choudhary’s alleged role in the Shilpi Jain-Gautam Singh murder case of 1999.
The couple was found dead in a semi-nude state inside a car in Patna, near the house of Sadhu Yadav, brother of then Chief Minister Rabri Devi.
The case had initially caused a public uproar and was subsequently handed over to the CBI, which filed a closure report years later, declaring the deaths as a suicide.
Kishor challenged Choudhary to come clean on his involvement, stating, “Many remember the case only for Sadhu Yadav, but the Deputy CM’s role must be clarified.”
Political implications
Choudhary, who held a ministerial position at the time, was seen as having benefitted politically after his father, Shakuni Choudhary, switched allegiance from the Samata Party to the RJD.
Kishor’s allegations are likely to intensify political debate in Bihar, particularly as the BJP and Nitish Kumar’s government come under pressure to respond.
 founder Prashant Kishor on Monday launched a scathing attack on Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.){kind=link}