Assembly marshal Bhanu Prakash Sinha. Picture by Deepak Kumar

For over seven years, Captain Bhanu Prakash Sinha has not performed a duty that is most associated with his taxing job.

The 62-year-old ramrod straight former armyman is marshal of the Assembly, tasked with the onerous job of looking after security of the House, which includes intervening when matters go out of hand.

Sinha has been serving as marshal for the past 27 years and by his own count, has bodily lifted around 200 MLAs — among them the heavyweight socialist leader and former chief minister Karpoori Thakur.

But the marshal says he hasn’t had to carry out this not-so-pleasant job in the Nitish Kumar regime, which took charge in November 2005. “The last time I marshalled out a member was in the Rabri Devi dispensation,” he said.

Sinha, a science graduate from Maharaja College in Ara (Bhojpur district), had initially joined the army. After retiring from the army, he worked with Tata Steel for five years before applying for the post of marshal of the then undivided Bihar Assembly. He was selected for the job on June 6, 1987. “It was not an easy interview and I was selected out of 22 other applicants, all retired armymen. The selection committee had people of the rank of IG and DIG,” said Sinha, who has already worked under five Speakers.

When the Assembly is in session, he reaches office by 8.30 in the morning. His day begins with a security check of important chambers. “Under my supervision, the security check is carried out with the help of the dog squad, anti-bomb squad and physical scrutiny by Bihar police personnel. The chambers of the chief minister, deputy chief minister, Speaker, leader of Opposition and parliamentary affairs minister are checked. The House is also combed. This goes on till 10.30am,” said Sinha, who has a total of 23 watch and ward staff members reporting to him.

Asked about the number of MLAs he has marshalled out so far, Sinha said: “I remember in my first year during the monsoon session, I had marshalled out and bodily lifted 72 MLAs in one day. It was a difficult task for me to marshal out Karpooriji, but the Speaker (Shiv Chandra Jha) ordered me and I just followed his order.”

How was it to marshal out a leader of Karpoori Thakur’s stature? “As per the rule, I went to Karpooriji, saluted him and requested him to leave the House. He said, ‘You do your duty and I will do mine.’ I had to bodily lift him. I have also marshalled out Lalu Prasadji six times when he was in the Opposition. The watch and ward staff helps me and many a time, we are kicked by the members who try hard to resist being evicted. However, there is nothing personal in this and no MLA has held it against us,” said Sinha, who has undergone 12 days’ training in Parliament.

Lifting a man is no mean task, but the secret of his energy possibly lies in the breakfast that he has: four pieces of bread, half a glass of milk and six almonds.

A veteran of many a House situations where his poker face and eagle eye have stood him in good stead, Sinha was taken aback on Tuesday when first-time MLA Manju Kumari, who was headed to the Speaker’s room, bowed and touched his feet. For the marshal, it was a first in over two decades. “She is so simple,” Sinha told The Telegraph with a smile.

The marshal, whose father too was in the army and retired as a colonel, is penning a book on his experiences in the Assembly. His wife is a banker and the couple have two daughters and a son.

Before the proceedings begin, Sinha always instructs his watch and ward staff to be on alert and vigilant and not become lazy. “The uniform of the marshal carries a lot of responsibility. I am just trying my level best to do my duty with honesty,” he said.