The Robin Hoods of Bihar

In Bihar's political narrative, Bahubalis have played an important role. Here are a few who have a criminal record

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Munna Shukla: Born in Lalganj, Vaishali, Munna Shukla emerged from the sociopolitical turbulence of the 1990s, when caste-based militancy and muscle power dominated the state's politics. Belonging to the influential Bhumihar community, Shukla's early years were steeped in the crime-politics nexus of north Bihar, where rival caste groups—primarily Bhumihars, Yadavs and Dalits—fought for dominance. He first made headlines in the early 1990s for his involvement in extortion, contract killings and political intimidation. His name soon appeared in connection with several high-profile murders. Over the years, he was implicated in dozens of criminal cases, ranging from murder and kidnapping to the use of illegal arms and corruption. He was elected as an MLA from Lalganj multiple times—first as an independent, then under the banner of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), and later the JD(U). In 2007, he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the murder of Gopalganj District Magistrate G. Krishnaiah. This year, his daughter Shivani Shukla fought the Bihar Assembly election from Lalganj on an RJD ticket.