Brijesh Singh, a name synonymous with power, crime, and political influence in Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Purvanchal), is one of India’s most notorious gangsters-turned-politicians. His journey from a promising student to a feared mafia don and eventually a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) is a saga that blends revenge, ambition, and resilience.
Early Life and Background
Brijesh Singh, also known as Arun Kumar Singh, was born on November 9, 1964, in the village of Dhaurahara, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, into a Thakur (Kshatriya) landlord family. His father, Ravindranath Singh, worked in the irrigation department in Ghazipur and was an active local politician, while his mother’s identity remains less documented. Growing up in a rural yet politically charged environment, Brijesh was exposed to both the simplicity of village life and the complexities of power dynamics early on.
As a student, Brijesh excelled academically. He completed his intermediate education at Udaipratap Inter College in Varanasi in 1984 with remarkable grades. Enrolling in a B.Sc. program at a Varanasi college, he harbored dreams of a career in science. However, fate had other plans. The brutal murder of his father on August 27, 1984, by political rivals—namely Harihar Singh and Panchu Singh—shattered his aspirations and set him on a path of vengeance that would define his life.
Descent into Crime
Brijesh Singh’s entry into the world of crime was catalyzed by his father’s killing. On May 27, 1985, nearly a year after the murder, Brijesh tracked down Harihar Singh, one of the culprits. In a dramatic act of retribution, he reportedly touched Harihar’s feet—a traditional sign of respect—before shooting him dead in broad daylight. This marked his first FIR and cemented his reputation as a man unafraid to take justice into his own hands.
His next target was Raghunath, the Gram Pradhan of Dhaurahara, whom he gunned down in the Ghazipur court premises using an AK-47—an unprecedented event in Purvanchal that introduced the weapon to the region’s gang wars. This audacious act not only avenged his father but also signaled the rise of a new criminal force. The administration responded with encounters, one of which claimed Panchu Singh’s life, further fueling Brijesh’s vendetta.
In 1986, Brijesh orchestrated the Sikraura massacre, killing seven people, including Gram Pradhan Ramchandra Yadav and his four children. This bloodbath underscored his growing ruthlessness and established him as a dominant figure in Purvanchal’s underworld.
Building a Criminal Empire
Brijesh Singh’s criminal career expanded rapidly in the late 1980s and 1990s. Partnering with Tribhuwan Singh, another strongman from Ghazipur, he ventured into lucrative illegal businesses—liquor, silk, and coal—across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and beyond. His empire reportedly included over 100 tipper trucks operating between Singrauli and Varanasi, a fraction of his vast wealth accumulated through extortion, contract killings, and government tender manipulation.
His rivalry with Mukhtar Ansari, another Purvanchal mafia don, became legendary. Their feud, rooted in disputes over railway, PWD, and coal contracts, led to numerous violent clashes. One notable incident was the 2001 attack on Ansari in Mohammadabad, Ghazipur, where one person died, and several were injured—an event for which Brijesh faced charges of murder and conspiracy. Alleged links to Dawood Ibrahim, a Mumbai underworld kingpin, further amplified his notoriety, tying him to the 1992 JJ Hospital shootout in Mumbai, where he and his accomplices killed an associate of Arun Gawli and two policemen.
Arrest and Life on the Run
For nearly a decade, Brijesh Singh evaded capture, living under the alias Arun Singh in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. His investments in real estate, coal mines, and other ventures flourished during this period. In 2008, a Special Task Force (STF) dramatically arrested him in Bhubaneswar, ending his fugitive years. He was subsequently lodged in Tihar Jail and faced trials for multiple cases, including the JJ Hospital shootout and the 2001 Ansari attack. Despite his incarceration, his influence persisted, with allegations that he orchestrated the 2018 killing of Munna Bajrangi, Ansari’s aide, from behind bars.
Transition to Politics
Brijesh Singh’s foray into politics showcased his adaptability. While in jail, he contested the 2012 Assembly elections from Saiyadraja as a Pragatishil Manav Samaj Party (PMSP) candidate but lost narrowly by 2,016 votes. Undeterred, he ran for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council (MLC) in 2016 as an independent from Varanasi—his ancestral stronghold previously represented by his wife and brother—and won by 1,954 votes. His wife, Annapurna Singh, had been an MLC on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket, and his brother, Uday Nath Singh (Chulbul), served as a BJP MLC for 12 years until his death in 2018.
Released from Varanasi Central Jail in August 2022 after 14 years, following a bail granted by the Allahabad High Court in the 2001 Ansari attack case, Brijesh emerged as a free man. His political stint as an MLC ended in 2022, but his legacy as a gangster-turned-politician endures.
Personal Life
Brijesh Singh is married to Annapurna Singh (aka Punam Singh), a politically active figure in her own right. Their daughter, Priyanka Singh, is married to Swatantra Singh, a Uttar Pradesh Provincial Police officer. Despite his criminal persona, Brijesh maintains a low profile regarding his personal life, with family ties often intertwined with his political and criminal networks. His elder brother, Chulbul Singh, was a key ally until his demise.
Legacy and Impact
Brijesh Singh’s life reflects the volatile nexus of crime and politics in Uttar Pradesh. His wealth—estimated in crores from ransom, killings, and business ventures—remains unquantifiable due to its illicit nature. His rivalry with Mukhtar Ansari, who died in 2024, shaped Purvanchal’s underworld for decades. While acquitted in many cases, including the Sikraura massacre in 2018 and upheld by the Allahabad High Court in 2023, his name evokes fear and fascination.
Top 10 Interesting Facts About Brijesh Singh
- Academic Brilliance: Brijesh was a top student before his father’s murder derailed his science career.
- First AK-47 Murder: He introduced the AK-47 to Purvanchal’s gang wars with Raghunath’s killing.
- Sikraura Massacre: He killed seven people in 1986, including a Gram Pradhan and his children.
- Dawood Connection: Alleged ties to Dawood Ibrahim linked him to the 1992 JJ Hospital shootout.
- Fugitive Years: He lived as Arun Singh in Bhubaneswar for nearly a decade before his 2008 arrest.
- Political Success: Won an MLC seat in 2016 while incarcerated, following his wife and brother’s footsteps.
- Mukhtar Ansari Rivalry: Their feud over contracts led to countless deaths, including the 2001 attack.
- Massive Wealth: Owned over 100 tipper trucks and invested in coal, real estate, and tenders.
- Family in Politics: His wife Annapurna and brother Chulbul were MLCs, blending crime and governance.
- Jail Release: Freed in 2022 after 14 years, granted bail in his last pending case.
Top 10 FAQs About Brijesh Singh
- Who is Brijesh Singh?
Brijesh Singh is a Uttar Pradesh gangster-turned-politician, known for his criminal empire and MLC tenure. - What is Brijesh Singh famous for?
He’s infamous for his gang wars, particularly with Mukhtar Ansari, and his transition to politics. - Where was Brijesh Singh born?
He was born in Dhaurahara village, Varanasi, on November 9, 1964. - Is Brijesh Singh still alive?
As of March 3, 2025, yes, he was released from jail in 2022. - What crimes did Brijesh Singh commit?
He’s linked to murders, extortion, and contract killings, including the Sikraura massacre. - Who is Brijesh Singh’s wife?
His wife is Annapurna Singh, a former BSP MLC. - How did Brijesh Singh enter politics?
He contested elections from jail, winning an MLC seat in 2016 as an independent. - What is Brijesh Singh’s net worth?
Exact figures are unknown, but his wealth spans crores from illegal businesses. - Why was Brijesh Singh arrested?
He was arrested in 2008 for multiple cases, including the JJ Hospital shootout. - What is Brijesh Singh doing now?
Post-release in 2022, his current activities are not widely publicized.
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