Patna, Jan 18 (IANS) The Patna High Court on Monday denied bail to independent legislator Anant Singh in a kidnapping case, a government lawyer said.

Anant Singh, who quit the ruling Janata Dal-United and contested the assembly polls as an independent from his traditional Mokamah assembly constituency in Patna district and won, is currently lodged in the Beur Central Jail here.

Singh was arrested in June 2015 in connection with a kidnapping case. He and his bodyguard are named as accused in the kidnapping of builder Raju Singh.

The lower court earlier dismissed his bail petition.

Old criminal cases were also opened against Anant Singh, who is locally known as "Chhote Sarkar" for his muscle and money power.