Shocking: Ward Councillor Stabbed Dead at Tilakotsav in Bihar's Saran
Synopsis
Ward Councillor Raja Babu Thakur was fatally stabbed during a Tilakotsav ceremony in Bihar's Saran district late Friday night. Three of his relatives were also critically injured. Police have filed an FIR against 12 accused and suspect local political rivalry as the motive — a chilling reminder of the dangers facing grassroots elected officials in Bihar.
Key Takeaways
Raja Babu Thakur , Ward Councillor of Ward No.
9, Manjhi Nagar Panchayat, Chhapra , was fatally stabbed on the night of April 25, 2025 .
The attack occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. during a Tilakotsav ceremony at a residence in the Manjhi area of Saran district, Bihar .
Three others — Mukesh Thakur, Ritesh Thakur , and one unidentified individual — sustained critical injuries and are hospitalised at Chhapra Sadar Hospital .
Raja Babu Thakur succumbed to his injuries at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday while being transferred for treatment.
Police filed an FIR against 12 accused under murder and attempt to murder charges; local political rivalry is suspected as the motive.
Additional police forces have been deployed in Manjhi, and raids are ongoing to arrest all named accused.
Chhapra, Bihar, April 25: A ward councillor was fatally stabbed and three others were left critically injured in a brutal knife attack that erupted during a Tilakotsav ceremony in Bihar's Saran district late Friday night, police confirmed on Saturday. The deceased, Raja Babu Thakur, served as the Ward Councillor of Ward No. 9 under Manjhi Nagar Panchayat in Chhapra, and his killing has sent shockwaves across the region. Investigators suspect local political rivalry may have driven the deadly assault.
A Celebration Turned Catastrophe
The violence broke out around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25, in the Manjhi area of Saran district. The setting was a home decorated with tents, marquees, and festive music for a Tilakotsav ceremony — a pre-wedding ritual that marks one of the most joyous occasions in North Indian households.
What started as a heated neighbourhood dispute quickly spiralled into a vicious brawl. Armed attackers pulled out knives, leaving four individuals — including the ward councillor — grievously wounded in what eyewitnesses described as a frenzied assault.
The contrast could not have been starker: a home adorned for celebration became a crime scene within minutes, with celebratory music giving way to screams and panic.
Victim and the Injured: Who Are They?
Raja Babu Thakur, a resident of Godha village under Manjhi Nagar Panchayat, was rushed to the Manjhi Community Health Centre (CHC) along with the other injured. Due to the severity of their wounds, all four were referred to Chhapra Sadar Hospital.
Raja Babu Thakur succumbed to his injuries at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Saturday while being transported for further treatment — unable to survive the multiple stab wounds he had sustained.
His cousins, Mukesh Thakur and Ritesh Thakur, along with one other individual, remain hospitalised in serious condition at Chhapra Sadar Hospital and are currently undergoing treatment.
Police Response: FIR Filed, 12 Accused Named
The Station House Officer (SHO) of Manjhi Police Station confirmed that an FIR has been registered against 12 accused under relevant sections of murder and attempt to murder.
The SHO stated: The preliminary investigation revealed that local politics may be the reason for this murder, as the deceased was a ward councillor. A detailed investigation is underway.
Police have launched active raids to apprehend all 12 named accused. Additional police forces have been deployed across the Manjhi area to contain rising tension and prevent any retaliatory violence in the locality.
The body of Raja Babu Thakur has been recovered and sent for post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death and gather forensic evidence.
Political Violence in Bihar: A Troubling Pattern
This incident is not an isolated occurrence. Bihar has witnessed a recurring pattern of violence targeting elected local representatives, particularly at the grassroots panchayat and ward councillor level, where political rivalries over territory, contracts, and influence are most intense.
Notably, attacks on ward councillors and panchayat members during social gatherings have been reported across Saran, Muzaffarpur, and Vaishali districts in recent years, pointing to a deepening crisis of local governance and personal security for elected officials. Critics argue that the state's law enforcement machinery has repeatedly struggled to prevent such targeted killings despite prior intelligence about inter-group tensions.
The fact that this attack occurred in a public social setting — a Tilakotsav ceremony — underscores the brazenness of the perpetrators and raises serious questions about the safety of elected representatives even in civilian spaces.
Family in Grief, Community in Shock
The victim's family is reportedly inconsolable, with relatives gathered at the hospital in a state of profound shock. Neighbours and community members who had attended the Tilakotsav ceremony described scenes of chaos and terror as the attack unfolded.
Local political leaders have condemned the killing, and demands are mounting for swift arrests and justice for the Thakur family. The broader community in Chhapra remains on edge, with security forces maintaining a heightened presence to prevent further unrest.
As investigations deepen, authorities are expected to examine the political dynamics within Manjhi Nagar Panchayat — including any recent disputes over ward-level development funds, electoral rivalries, or personal enmities — to establish the full motive behind the killing. All eyes are now on whether Bihar Police can swiftly arrest all 12 accused and bring the perpetrators to justice before political tensions escalate further.
Point of View
Where ward-level power struggles routinely turn lethal. The fact that 12 individuals allegedly conspired to carry out this attack in a public social setting reveals a disturbing boldness that only thrives when perpetrators believe accountability is unlikely. Bihar's political establishment must answer why elected representatives — the very foundation of democratic governance — cannot attend a family ceremony without fearing for their lives. Swift arrests and transparent prosecution are not optional; they are the minimum the state owes to its citizens.
NationPress
3 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Raja Babu Thakur and why was he killed?
Raja Babu Thakur was the Ward Councillor of Ward No. 9 under Manjhi Nagar Panchayat in Chhapra, Bihar. Police suspect local political rivalry as the primary motive behind his killing during a knife attack at a Tilakotsav ceremony on the night of April 25, 2025.
Where did the knife attack in Bihar's Saran district take place?
The attack occurred in the Manjhi area of Saran district in Bihar, at a residence decorated for a Tilakotsav pre-wedding ceremony. The incident took place around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025.
How many people were injured in the Chhapra knife attack?
Four people in total were injured in the knife attack, including ward councillor Raja Babu Thakur, who later died. His cousins Mukesh Thakur, Ritesh Thakur, and one other individual remain critically injured and are being treated at Chhapra Sadar Hospital.
How many accused have been named in the Manjhi knife attack FIR?
Police have registered an FIR naming 12 accused under sections of murder and attempt to murder. Raids are currently underway to arrest those involved, and additional police forces have been deployed in the Manjhi area.
Is political violence against local elected officials common in Bihar?
Yes, Bihar has a documented history of violence targeting panchayat members and ward councillors, often rooted in disputes over local power, development funds, and electoral rivalries. This incident fits a troubling pattern seen across multiple districts in the state in recent years.
