Power Corridors

BY Navin Upadhyay

June 6, 2026: Bihar has long struggled with the criminalization of politics. According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), 158 of the state’s 241 MLAs—nearly two-thirds of the Assembly—have declared criminal cases against themselves. Even more troubling, 119 legislators face serious charges, including allegations related to murder, attempted murder, crimes against women, and other non-bailable offences.

These statistics are not new. For decades, Bihar’s politics has been marked by the presence of strongmen, criminal allegations, and politicians who have continued to wield power despite serious cases pending against them. Against this backdrop, the aggressive pursuit of popular educator Khan Sir has raised uncomfortable questions about priorities.

The controversy stems from an incident on June 2, when Khan Global Studies, one of Patna’s most successful coaching institutes, was allegedly attacked by a group of individuals who vandalized property and injured a security guard. Police arrested several persons allegedly linked to a rival coaching institute. Subsequently, investigators examined CCTV footage that reportedly showed security personnel associated with Khan Sir’s institute firing shots into the air.

The guards were arrested, weapons were seized, and an FIR was registered against Khan Sir under provisions relating to abetment and the Arms Act. Khan Sir has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that the institute was the victim of a premeditated attack driven by professional rivalry. The matter is currently under investigation.

What has surprised many observers is the intensity with which authorities appear to be pursuing the educator, particularly when viewed against Bihar’s broader record of law enforcement. No one was reportedly injured by the shots that were allegedly fired. Supporters argue that the security personnel acted amid a chaotic and potentially dangerous situation in which the institute itself was under attack.

The question being asked by many is simple: Are similar standards applied uniformly across society?

Over the years, there have been numerous incidents involving influential individuals, security personnel, political convoys, and public figures where questions of accountability have arisen. Yet the speed and visibility of action often seem to vary dramatically depending on who is involved.

What makes the case particularly striking is Khan Sir’s public standing. Unlike many celebrities or political figures, his reputation rests largely on service. Through Khan Global Studies, he has built one of India’s most successful low-cost educational platforms. While many coaching institutes charge exorbitant fees, Khan Sir made quality education accessible to students from modest backgrounds. His Hindi-language lectures have helped thousands secure government jobs and transform their economic prospects.

His contributions extend beyond education. Inspired by his mother, he established the Khan Sir Hospital in Patna with a mission of affordable healthcare. The facility offers diagnostic services at rates that are often lower than those available elsewhere, including blood tests for ₹7, ECGs for ₹25, and X-rays for ₹35. He also launched a 24-hour blood bank and has promoted access to treatment for economically vulnerable patients.

These achievements do not place anyone above the law. If wrongdoing is proven, the law must take its course. But the law must also be fair, proportionate, and consistent.

That is the larger issue at stake.

A state in which nearly two-thirds of legislators face criminal cases should be especially careful about demonstrating equal standards of justice. Public confidence in the legal system depends not merely on enforcement, but on the perception that enforcement is applied uniformly, regardless of status, profession, or political influence.

As the investigation continues, facts—not rumours, politics, rivalries, or communal narratives—must determine the outcome. Bihar deserves a system where the same yardstick is applied to everyone. Anything less risks reinforcing the belief that justice is selective rather than impartial.

The courts will ultimately determine the merits of the case. Until then, the focus should remain on evidence, due process, and equal treatment under the law.

Findings (ADR Report)

158 out of 241 MLAs (about 66%) in the Bihar Assembly have declared criminal cases.
119 MLAs (around 49%) face serious criminal charges such as murder, attempt to murder, and crimes against women.

What “serious criminal cases” include (as per ADR definition)