Surajbhan Singh is a notorious figure in Bihar’s history, known for his dramatic transition from gangster to influential politician. His life story weaves together crime, power, and politics, reflecting the complexities of Bihar’s social and political fabric. This biography explores Surajbhan’s origins, criminal rise, political trajectory, controversies, and the enduring legacy of his “bahubali” (strongman) reputation.
Early Life and Origins
Surajbhan Singh was born on March 5, 1965, in Mokama, a village along the Ganges in Patna district, Bihar. His family was poor, with roots in farming, and belonged to the Bhumihar caste—a group often associated with land ownership and influence in Bihar. Surajbhan’s father aspired for him to join the military, but Surajbhan’s ambitions took a darker turn early in life. Discontented with academic prospects, he was drawn to local power struggles and soon became involved in the world of crime.wikipedia+3youtube+1
Criminal Career
Surajbhan Singh’s criminal journey began in the late 1980s, rapidly escalating from extortion to violent crimes. His reputation for brutality grew as he orchestrated extortion rackets across Mokama, Barh, and Begusarai. His father’s suicide, allegedly triggered by the shame and danger surrounding Surajbhan’s activities, marked a pivotal moment that hardened his resolve.youtube
By the 1990s, Surajbhan had built a feared organization and allied himself with other notorious gangsters such as Shri Prakash Shukla. These alliances extended his influence into Uttar Pradesh, facilitating high-profile crimes including kidnappings, contract killings, and extortions. The assassination of Brij Bihari Prasad, a Bihar minister, in a Patna hospital in 1998, stands out among the most infamous incidents linked to Singh’s syndicate.youtube+1newindianexpress+1
Over his criminal career, Surajbhan was accused in over 30 cases ranging from murder to dacoity and extortion in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Despite surviving a police encounter that left him with a limp—a defining characteristic that earned him the nickname “Langda Tyagi”—he eluded the law for years.newindianexpress+1youtube
Entry Into Politics
Surajbhan Singh entered electoral politics in 2000, defeating sitting minister Dilip Singh in the Mokama Assembly elections amid a cloud of 26 pending criminal cases. His success marked the emergence of “Bahubali” (strongman) politics in Bihar, where muscle power and political ambition intersected.youtubewikipedia
After serving as an independent MLA from Mokama, he joined the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and continued to consolidate his power. He won the Lok Sabha seat from Balia in Bihar, further legitimizing his transition from feared gangster to respected politician. His leadership within the LJP grew, and he played a significant role in party affairs, even serving as acting president during a turbulent period in 2021.wikipediayoutube
Political Influence and Legacy
Surajbhan’s ascendance was emblematic of Bihar’s complex nexus of caste, crime, and politics. His ties to Ram Vilas Paswan and the LJP, along with his leadership among other “bahubali” figures, amplified his status. Under his influence, Mokama and surrounding areas became battlegrounds for rival gangs and political factions, with Surajbhan’s word often prevailing in disputes.youtubenewindianexpress
Singh was known for his strategic use of patronage, forming alliances with rival dons like Shri Prakash Shukla while fiercely battling adversaries such as Ashok Samrat (Ashok Mahto), whose turf wars with Surajbhan turned Mokama into a hotbed of violence. His wife, Veena Devi, continued his legacy by contesting elections and becoming an MP from Munger on an LJP ticket, often seen as his political proxy due to his legal battles.hindi.oneindia+2youtube+1
Notable Controversies
Surajbhan Singh’s political career was continually dogged by controversy. His conviction in the Rami Singh farmer murder case in 2008 led to life imprisonment and a bar from contesting further elections per the Representation of People’s Act. He became the third sitting MP from Bihar, after Shahabuddin and Pappu Yadav, to be convicted and debarred from public office.indiatoday+4
Earlier, Surajbhan had been accused in the Brij Behari Prasad murder case. While acquitted by the High Court in 2014, his associations with violent incidents kept him in the spotlight. Even after his conviction, Surajbhan remained active politically through family proxies, continuing to wield significant regional influence.hindustantimes+3
Personal Life
Surajbhan Singh’s personal life has also seen momentous events. His wife, Veena Devi, is a prominent LJP politician and MP. Tragically, his son Ashutosh died in a car accident on the Greater Noida Expressway in 2018. Singh is known to maintain a low profile in recent years, often delegating political responsibilities to his family.youtubehindi.oneindia+1
Recent Developments
As of September 2025, Surajbhan Singh was convicted again in a 33-year-old case of attacking a police team, marking another chapter in his long legal saga. He remains a symbol of the enduring link between crime and politics in Bihar, with his legacy discussed passionately during state elections and local disputes.patnapress+2
Top Interesting Facts
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Surajbhan Singh began his life in poverty before rising to power as both a feared gangster and influential politician.aajtak+1youtube
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He survived a police encounter that left him physically impaired, earning him the nickname “Langda Tyagi”.youtube
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Singh was associated with over 30 criminal cases at the height of his criminal career.newindianexpress+1
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He played a major role in the LJP and even served as its acting president amid party schisms.youtube
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His wife, Veena Devi, is a successful politician, acting as his proxy due to his legal troubles.hindi.oneindia+2
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Surajbhan’s reputation as a “bahubali” influenced Bihar’s political landscape, especially in Mokama, Barh, and Begusarai regions.newindianexpressyoutube
Frequently Asked Questions
Question | Answer |
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What is Surajbhan Singh’s background? | He hails from Mokama, Bihar, and belongs to the Bhumihar castewikipedia+1. |
Why is Surajbhan Singh famous? | He is known for being a gangster-turned-politician with significant influence over Bihar’s politics and criminal underworldyoutubenewindianexpress. |
What criminal cases was he involved in? | He faced over 30 criminal cases, including the infamous murders of Rami Singh and Brij Behari Prasadwikipedia+1youtube. |
Is he still active in politics? | He is currently debarred from direct contest due to convictions but remains influential through family and proxieswikipedia+2. |
Who is Veena Devi? | Veena Devi is Surajbhan Singh’s wife, an LJP politician and MP from Mungerwikipedia+1. |
What is his current status? | As of late 2025, Surajbhan Singh was convicted yet again in a decades-old case and cannot contest elections, but continues to shape local politicspatnapress+1. |
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