Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) elected lawmaker Ram Binod Yadav, who secured 41,637 votes from Dhanusha Constituency No. 2, spent three years in prison after being convicted for his involvement in the 2010 murder of journalist Arun Singhania. Both the Dhanusha District Court and the Janakpur High Court confirmed his guilt, detailing his role as a key accomplice to primary mastermind Sanjay Sah 'Takala'.
Court records reveal that Yadav participated in planning the assassination, procuring weapons, and identifying the victim for the hired shooters inside Rama Hotel in Janakpur. Singhania, publisher of Janakpur Today, was shot dead on March 1, 2010, after publishing news reports exposing Takala's involvement in a local robbery. Police records also show Yadav's long criminal history dating back to 1997, including assault, attacking police officers, and armed robbery.
Although election laws bar individuals convicted of murder with sentences under 20 years from contesting elections for six years after serving their prison term, Yadav completed this mandatory waiting period on August 16, 2025. He subsequently joined the RSP and successfully contested the parliamentary election following the post-Gen Z movement political realignment.
Yadav’s candidacy has sparked intense debate over the RSP’s commitment to good governance and moral integrity, particularly after party Vice President DP Aryal actively campaigned for him. Observers note that Yadav's entry into parliament reflects a troubling historical trend in Madhesh politics, where individuals tied to organized crime transition into mainstream political power.
