Ashok Samrat
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Ashok Samrat | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ashok Sharma c. 1965 Teghra, Begusarai district, Bihar, India |
| Died | 1995 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Bahubali Ashok Samrat |
| Occupation(s) | Gangster; political strongman |
| Years active | 1985–1995 |
| Known for | First to introduce AK-47 into Bihar's underworld; parallel "government" in Begusarai |
Ashok Sharma (c. 1965–1995) was an Indian gangster. He was born around 1965 in Teghra, Begusarai district, Bihar, India, into a family of farmers. He was reportedly bright in academics, completing postgraduate studies in Sanskrit and another subject, a qualification that earned him selection to the Sub-Inspector cadre of the Bihar Police Service before he abandoned the post under dramatic circumstances to save a friend's life.[1]
Criminal career
[edit]Rise to power
[edit]After leaving the police service in the late 1980s, Ashok Samrat quickly built a loyal cadre of armed men. By the early 1990s, he controlled extortion rackets at Barauni refinery, railway contracts, and local land deals, effectively running a parallel administration across Begusarai and neighboring districts.[1]
First use of AK-47
[edit]Ashok Samrat is credited as the first gangster in Bihar to deploy an AK-47 rifle. On 5 May 1995, during a tender-related gathering near Sonpur railway station (Hajipur), he and his associates opened fire with AK-47s—an event that stunned police forces equipped only with pistols and shotguns at the time.[2]
Political influence and muscle power
[edit]Leveraging his reputation for violence, Ashok Samrat forged ties with local politicians, offering booth-capturing and voter-intimidation services during elections. Senior police officers later recalled his ability to dictate contractors, municipal officials, and even district administrators, effectively acting as the de facto ruler of Begusarai.[1]
Encounters and decline
[edit]In mid-1995, after intelligence inputs and public outcry over civilian casualties, Bihar Police and CRPF launched a joint operation. Ashok Samrat was critically injured in an encounter near Barauni and presumed dead. Authorities recovered two AK-47s and over 200 rounds of ammunition from the site, leading to the rapid collapse of his criminal network.[1]
Legacy
[edit]Ashok Samrat's reign marked a turning point in Bihar's crime history, introducing military-grade weaponry and deepening the nexus between gangs and politics. His story is often cited in studies of muscle politics and has been featured in retrospective analyses by national outlets such as The New Indian Express.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Shahi, Paritosh (11 September 2024). "बिहार में पुलिस से पहले इस बाहुबली के पास पहुंच गया था AK47, यूपी से बंगाल तक चलता था सिक्का". Prabhat Khabar. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ Prabhu, Anil (10 May 2010). "Child shot after cricket tiff; 'It was Ashok Samrat who used AK-47s for the first time in Bihar'". The Telegraph India. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ Kumar, Rajat (29 April 2023). "Bihar's Baahubalis". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 May 2025.