Prakash Paswan Arrested in Bihar in Rourkela Circuit House Arms Case; Police Probe Widens

By : SAROJ KUMAR ROUT

Rourkela, August 27, 2026: Suspended BJP leader and Rourkela Municipal Corporation representative of  Jual Oram  Prakash Paswan has been arrested by Rourkela Police in Bihar after remaining on the run for nearly 11 days in connection with the controversial Rourkela Circuit House arms case.

A senior police officer confirmed that Paswan was apprehended in Bihar on Wednesday evening. While police have confirmed the arrest, the exact location of his apprehension was initially not disclosed by officials. Reports from local sources have identified the area as Samastipur, Bihar. Police are expected to bring Paswan back to Rourkela for interrogation.

The arrest came a day after the Panposh SDJM Court issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Paswan. Before his arrest, Rourkela Police had formed several teams and launched searches in Odisha as well as neighbouring states, including Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

Circuit House Arms Case

The case came to light after RN Pali Police raided the government-managed Circuit House at Panposh in the early hours of August 15 and arrested two alleged criminals from the premises.

Police recovered firearms, magazines and live ammunition from the accused. Their interrogation subsequently led investigators to several other suspects, taking the total number of arrests in the case to nine, according to reports.

Investigators subsequently focused on Paswan after establishing that rooms at the Circuit House had allegedly been booked for persons who were later found to be involved in criminal activities. Police are examining Circuit House booking records, CCTV footage and other documents to establish how the accused obtained prolonged access to the government property.

Police have alleged that Paswan used his political influence to facilitate access to the Circuit House. However, the allegations remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings.

BJP Suspension

The controversy led to political action against Paswan. The Odisha BJP suspended him on August 20, citing indiscipline, misconduct and violation of party discipline.

Paswan had been a state executive member of the BJP Yuva Morcha and was also serving as a representative of Union Tribal Affairs Minister and Sundargarh MP Jual Oram in the Rourkela Municipal Corporation.

Oram subsequently said that allegations against Paswan should be investigated fairly and transparently and that anyone found guilty should face legal consequences.

Police Probe Into Property and Illegal Construction

The investigation has now expanded beyond the Circuit House case to properties and structures allegedly linked to Paswan.

According to a report , police and the Rourkela Forest Division recently inspected an office structure allegedly constructed by Paswan near the foothills of Durgapur. Authorities are examining whether the land was legally allotted or encroached upon.

Rourkela DFO Ravi Meena said an inquiry had been initiated, while the Western Range DIG indicated that authorities were considering dismantling the structure if it is found to have been illegally constructed.

Local reports have also referred to an allegedly unauthorised structure in the Dipti Hotel area of Rourkela and possible demolition action by the authorities. However, an official confirmation specifically stating that demolition of a house near Dipti Hotel has been ordered has not yet been located in the reliable reports reviewed, so the claim should be treated as pending official confirmation.

RSP Flat Also Taken Back

The property controversy has also affected an executive flat allotted by Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP).

According to a report , RSP reclaimed possession of an executive flat at Sector-21 that had been allotted to Paswan in August 2025. The report said an eviction notice had been served earlier following alleged violations of the sub-lease conditions, including extension work carried out at the premises. The flat had reportedly been obtained in the name of Paswan’s NGO, Being Humane.

17 Criminal Cases Reported

The latest investigation has also brought Paswan’s previous criminal cases under scrutiny. Police have reportedly described him as a history-sheeter with 17 criminal cases registered against him.

Authorities are now expected to examine his previous cases alongside the Circuit House investigation, particularly after his arrest in Bihar.

What Happens Next?

Following his arrest in Bihar, Rourkela Police are expected to bring Paswan back to Odisha and interrogate him regarding:

• The booking and use of the Panposh Circuit House rooms.
• His alleged links with the arrested criminals.
• The source and movement of firearms recovered in the case.
• The role of government officials and the private agency managing the Circuit House.
• His alleged involvement in facilitating access to the government premises.
• The ownership, allotment and legality of properties and structures linked to him.

The interrogation could provide investigators with crucial information about the alleged network behind the Circuit House incident.

A Case That Has Expanded Beyond the Circuit House

What began with the arrest of two armed criminals inside a government guesthouse has now developed into a wider investigation involving alleged political influence, criminal links, property and land issues, unauthorised construction and the role of government officials.

With Prakash Paswan now in police custody, investigators are expected to intensify questioning and examine whether further arrests or legal action will follow.