On January 6, 2025, a Patna court granted unconditional bail to Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor after his initial judicial custody. Kishor had been detained during a fast-unto-death protest at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, where he supported students demanding the cancellation of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) 70th Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) due to alleged irregularities.
The Bail Proceedings
Initial Bail Conditions
- Judge Arti Upadhyay initially granted bail with the following conditions:
- Furnishing a bail bond of ₹25,000.
- Refraining from participating in protests or committing offences in the future.
Refusal to Comply
- Kishor’s lawyer, Advocate Shivanand Giri, argued against the conditions, seeking unconditional bail.
- Kishor refused to sign the bail bond, leading the court to state that it lacked authority to modify its order and advised him to approach the High Court.
Unconditional Bail Granted
- Later, the same judge granted Kishor unconditional bail, releasing him from judicial custody.
The Protest and Kishor’s Detention
Fast-Unto-Death Protest
- On January 2, 2025, Prashant Kishor began a fast-unto-death in solidarity with students protesting the BPSC 70th CCE held on December 13, 2024.
Key Issues with BPSC Exam
- Allegations of irregularities prompted the Bihar government to announce a re-examination, which Kishor claimed validated the students’ concerns.
- The re-exam, conducted on January 4 at the Bapu Pariksha Parisar center in Patna, saw low attendance with only 5,943 of 12,000 candidates appearing.
Detention by Police
- Kishor was detained early morning from the protest site and subsequently produced in court.
Public Reaction and Kishor’s Stance
The protest highlighted concerns about systemic irregularities in competitive exams in Bihar. Kishor’s firm stance and refusal to comply with bail conditions underscored his commitment to the students’ cause, drawing both support and criticism.
The unconditional bail granted to Prashant Kishor reflects his persistence in challenging the alleged irregularities in Bihar’s examination system. As the protests continue to gain attention, the focus shifts to the government’s response to ensure transparency and fairness in future exams.
