In a major Bihar crime news development, the Bihar Special Task Force (STF) on Friday arrested RJD leader Deva Gupta, who is known to be a close associate of Tejashwi Yadav, during a raid in Patna.

The arrest took place in the Patliputra police station area, where Gupta was detained from Flat No. 301 of Radhika Apartment following a specific intelligence input. Authorities confirmed that he was carrying a ₹1 lakh reward and had been on the police radar for a long time.

STF Operation and Arrest Details

According to officials, the Special Task Force acted on credible information and conducted a planned operation to apprehend Gupta. He was reportedly listed at the top of a “hit list” of 100 criminals prepared by the Motihari police as part of a large-scale crime control drive in Bihar.

Police records state that Gupta is facing 28 criminal cases, including serious charges such as murder, extortion, illegal land grabbing, and robbery. In at least two cases, he had been declared absconding for an extended period.

Gupta is also the husband of Motihari Municipal Corporation Mayor Preeti Kumari. Following his arrest, Kumari alleged that she was briefly detained by the STF for questioning and later released. She claimed that the action against her husband amounts to harassment and stated that two cases against him have been stayed by the court, while he is already on bail in others.

Legal Background and High Court Relief

About two months earlier, the Patna High Court had granted interim relief to Gupta. The court had temporarily stayed any coercive action and the announcement of the ₹1 lakh reward until his anticipatory bail plea was heard.

Following the High Court’s order, police action had slowed down. The Superintendent of Police had previously directed Gupta to surrender within 10 days. However, before the deadline expired, he approached the High Court, citing the pending bail application and providing details of the cases against him. The court then instructed authorities not to take punitive steps until the matter was fully heard.

Political Profile and RJD Connection

Deva Gupta’s political journey began at the local level. In 2022, he supported his wife’s candidacy in the Motihari mayoral election, which she won. He later sought a Lok Sabha ticket but was unsuccessful.

In the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the Rashtriya Janata Dal nominated him as its candidate from Motihari. He contested against BJP leader Pramod Kumar.

Earlier, Neeraj Kumar, a leader from the JD(U), had alleged that Tejashwi Yadav had traveled abroad with Gupta and another associate. The claim had triggered political controversy in the state.

Political Reactions Intensify in Bihar

Gupta’s arrest has sparked sharp reactions across Bihar’s political circles, especially due to his close association with Tejashwi Yadav. The timing of the arrest also drew attention, as it coincided with his wedding anniversary. Just hours before being detained, Gupta had posted a message on social media praising his wife’s political achievements and celebrating their relationship.

With multiple criminal cases and a history of legal proceedings, the arrest has once again brought focus on law and order in Bihar and the role of political figures facing serious charges.

Authorities are expected to present him before the court as further legal proceedings continue.