Patna Mayor’s son goes underground after brawl at civic meet

What began as a routine municipal meeting in Bihar’s capital last week quickly descended into chaos — culminating in police charges, political outrage, and a citywide manhunt. At the center of the storm: Shishir Kumar, the controversial son of Patna Mayor Sita Sahu, now facing assault charges and accused of violently disrupting government proceedings.

According to police and eyewitness accounts, the July 11 meeting of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) turned into a virtual battleground when Shishir — who holds no official position in the body—allegedly stormed into the session flanked by bouncers. Tensions erupted after a fiery exchange between Shishir and former deputy mayor Vinay Kumar, leading to an all-out scuffle with Opposition councillors.

Shishir, who has at least four prior criminal cases against him — including charges of attempted murder and intimidation—is now absconding. Patna police have launched a search following a formal complaint by councillor Jeet Kumar, who accused Shishir of physical assault and obstructing official duties.

The violence reportedly stemmed from Mayor Sahu’s attempt to push through a set of controversial proposals that Municipal Commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar had earlier blocked, citing concerns over private interests. When Parashar walked out in protest, chaos ensued — soon spiraling out of control with Shishir’s dramatic entrance.

Municipal Commissioner Parashar has formally appealed to the Patna District Magistrate to ban Shishir from all PMC meetings, citing repeated interference. Councillors aligned with the Opposition have echoed this demand, accusing Shishir of acting as a “shadow Mayor” and using his mother’s office to further his political ambitions.

Sources say this was not the first time Shishir appeared at official meetings with armed security. His frequent presence, despite lacking any elected or administrative status, has triggered alarm bells about the politicization of municipal affairs in the city.

In a video message released July 15, Shishir, who describes himself as a “state BJP working committee member” defended his actions, claiming he was targeted for exposing corruption in the civic body. “I am not guilty just because a case has been filed,” he declared. “I will not bow down.”

While BJP spokesperson Manoj Sharma said Shishir “was merely presenting his side,” Congress leaders hit back hard. “Everyone in Bihar knows about his BJP links,” said Congress’s Gyan Ranjan Gupta. “He claims to be in Patna, but police can’t find him? This is what collapse of law and order looks like.”

Patna SSP Kartikeya Sharma denied any political interference in the probe. He confirmed that police had raided Mayor Sahu’s Maharajganj residence in search of her son and would be questioning her over her alleged lack of cooperation.

The raid prompted street protests by Sahu’s supporters, who accused civic officials of targeting the family for political reasons. Effigies of Commissioner Parashar were torched as slogans rang out against “vendetta politics.”

As the manhunt for Shishir continues, the larger questions loom: Has a public office in Patna become a private fiefdom? And is Bihar’s civic governance being hijacked in the run-up to the elections?