Suspended youth BJP leader Prakash Paswan was arrested in Bihar on Wednesday evening, 11 days after going into hiding following the seizure of firearms and live ammunition from the government‑run Raurkela Circuit House.
Police suspect Paswan to be the alleged mastermind behind providing shelter to armed criminals at the Circuit House. On August 15, two criminals were arrested from the premises with firearms and live bullets. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of seven more accused, with additional weapons recovered.
Investigators are expected to interrogate Paswan on how the accused gained access to the government property and allegedly used it as a hideout. His questioning may also reveal possible administrative lapses that enabled the incident.
The arrest came a day after the Panposh SDJM court in Raurkela issued a non‑bailable warrant against him. Paswan had been serving as the representative of the Union Tribal Affairs Minister and Sundargarh BJP MP Jual Oram to the Rourkela Municipal Corporation.
Authorities said Paswan’s arrest marks a crucial development in the ongoing probe into the Circuit House case and the criminal network allegedly linked to him.
