Everyone, including Nepalese people and the international community, has been taken by surprise with the unexpected results of the Constituent Assembly elections as the former rebel Maoists faring better than other, established, parties.

So much so, a “most wanted criminal” enlisted both by the Nepal Police and the Indian Police has successfully won election from southern Tarai. Baban Singh (31), who is enlisted by the police among the “most wanted criminals”, was elected from Rautahat constituency number-1 in the election. Following the Kathmandu blasts in the first week of September last year, he had gone into hiding. Since then he is on the police’s hit list and hasn’t come out in public even after his victory.

But surprisingly, Singh who had filed candidacy as an independent candidate through his personal representative, won the election defeating his rival Ajay Gupta of Sadbhawana Party (Mahat) by over 2,000 votes. Singh secured 9,201 votes while Gupta got only 6,588. Superintendent of police in the district, Laxman Neupane, said that Singh was also wanted by the Indian police for his alleged involvement in various kidnappings and lootings.

The Nepal police were also searching hunting for him as he had reportedly murdered a woman in his village some six months ago. Besides, he was charged as the “mastermind” for the Kathmandu blasts. After the district election office declared him the winner, his father Jagannath reached the office to receive the certificate. However, he was returned empty-handed as the candidate is required to present himself for the purpose.