Bihar road rage: Chhotu Yadav shot in encounter, arrested in Siwan killing
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The main accused in a deadly road rage shooting in Siwan, Bihar, was injured in a police encounter and arrested in the early hours of Thursday, 1 May 2025, less than 24 hours after the incident claimed one life and left another person critically injured. The accused, Chhotu Kumar Yadav, was apprehended following a late-night operation by local police.
The Encounter: What Happened
According to Town Police Station In-charge Avinash Kumar, officers tracked down Chhotu Kumar Yadav — son of Veer Yadav and a resident of Hathaura village under Hussainganj police station limits — and attempted to detain him around 3:00 am. The accused allegedly attempted to flee and opened fire on the police team. Officers retaliated, injuring him in both legs. He collapsed at the spot and was taken into custody.
Yadav is currently undergoing treatment at a government hospital and has since been referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for advanced care. Officials confirmed his condition is stable. Notably, no police personnel were injured during the encounter.
The Road Rage Incident That Triggered the Hunt
On Wednesday evening, a minor road dispute near the Laxmipur-Aandar Dhala overbridge in Siwan turned deadly. Harsh Kumar Singh (28), nephew of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manoj Singh, was shot dead, while his brother-in-law Chandan Singh sustained critical injuries. The two were reportedly on their way to attend a Tilak ceremony when their parked vehicle was allegedly grazed by a speeding car.
What began as a verbal altercation reportedly escalated within moments, with the accused allegedly opening indiscriminate fire on the victims. The brazenness of the attack — in a public area, during a social occasion — drew immediate attention from senior officials and the public alike.
Senior Officers at the Scene, Investigation Intensified
Senior officers including Superintendent of Police (SP) Puran Kumar Jha, SDPO Ajay Kumar, and Town Police Station In-charge Avinash Kumar visited the crime scene following the encounter. Additional police forces have been deployed across the area to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents.
In-charge Avinash Kumar stated that a thorough investigation is underway.