What Happened in Patna with Four Shot in 24 Hours?

Synopsis
In a shocking turn of events in Patna, two individuals were found murdered, following a separate drive-by shooting that claimed the lives of a mother and daughter. This surge in violence has escalated concerns regarding law and order in Bihar, prompting intensified scrutiny of the ruling government as elections approach.
Key Takeaways
- Two individuals were found murdered near Majhauli-Singhara rural road.
- Earlier, a family was shot at in a drive-by incident.
- Concerns over law and order have escalated in Bihar.
- Both incidents occurred within a 24-hour timeframe.
- The state government is facing criticism from the opposition.
Patna, June 10 (NationPress) On Tuesday morning, two individuals were discovered murdered near the Majhauli-Singhara rural road, under the jurisdiction of Bikram police station, located on the outskirts of Patna. This incident has led to heightened concerns regarding escalating crime in the area. Earlier, on Monday, three family members were shot, resulting in the tragic deaths of a mother and her daughter during a drive-by shooting. These alarming incidents occurring within a mere 24-hour span have raised serious questions about the law and order situation in Bihar.
Patna SSP Awakash Kumar confirmed the developments, stating that local villagers alerted the police upon discovering the bodies of two men lying on the roadside.
A police team quickly arrived at the scene and recovered the bullet-riddled bodies.
The deceased have been identified as Sonu Kumar and Roshan Kumar, both from Bagha Kol in Patna. Notably, Sonu had a criminal history and was reportedly involved in a murder case concerning a guard in 2022.
“Both individuals displayed visible gunshot wounds. Their bodies have been taken into police custody for a post-mortem examination,” Kumar noted.
“A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has been summoned to assist with the investigation. An FIR will be filed based on the statements provided by the relatives of the deceased,” Kumar stated.
“The motive behind the incident remains unclear. We have initiated a comprehensive investigation and launched a search operation to apprehend those responsible for the murders. Given Sonu's criminal history, we are also exploring this avenue,” he added.
Earlier on Monday morning, three family members were shot in the Arfabad locality, falling under Alamganj police station limits in Patna.
Among the victims, a mother and her daughter succumbed to their injuries after being shot.
The tragic incident occurred around 9:15 AM when the family — a husband, wife, and their daughter — were en route to the local market and were ambushed by two motorcycle-riding assailants.
The woman has been identified as Mahalaxmi Mehta, a retired nurse, while her husband is Dhananjay Mehta.
Mahalaxmi and her daughter sustained gunshot wounds to their chest, stomach, and back, whereas Dhananjay was shot in the leg.
These staggering murders within such a short time have escalated anxieties surrounding the deteriorating law and order situation in the state governed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
The Opposition, represented by the Rashtriya Janata Dal, has intensified its criticism of the Nitish Kumar administration, accusing it of neglecting law and order.
In contrast, the ruling party finds itself on the back foot as public scrutiny intensifies ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.