Bihar CM announces ₹4 lakh ex gratia for Bhojpur car attack victims
Synopsis
On Diwali night, a Scorpio allegedly drove into a crowd of villagers celebrating Chhath Puja in Bhojpur, Bihar, killing two brothers and injuring six. Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary has announced ₹4 lakh compensation per family and vowed strict action — but the accused remain at large and police are still piecing together the sequence of events.
Key Takeaways
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary announced ₹4 lakh ex gratia each for the families of two men killed in the Bhojpur car attack on Diwali night .
The deceased are Dinesh Yadav (55) and Kamlesh Yadav (50) , brothers from Ramdihara village , Bhojpur.
A Scorpio SUV allegedly drove into villagers gathered near Surya Mandir during a dispute over Chhath Puja music.
Six people were injured and are receiving treatment at Ara Sadar Hospital ; a vehicle struck eight people in total before the occupants fled.
Police are investigating; allegations of a deliberate attack and driver intoxication remain unconfirmed officially.
Angry residents staged a road blockade demanding arrests; the accused were still at large as of Monday.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday, 9 November 2026, announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh each to the families of two brothers killed after a car allegedly drove into a group of villagers in Bhojpur district on Diwali night. He also directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the six injured and to take strict action against those responsible.
What Happened in Ramdihara Village
The incident took place late Sunday night near the Surya Mandir in Ramdihara village, under the jurisdiction of Bihiya police station in Bhojpur. According to villagers, residents had gathered near the temple after Chhath Puja prayers and were playing devotional songs when a group of men arrived in a Scorpio SUV and objected to the loud music.
An argument reportedly broke out, following which the occupants allegedly left and returned in the vehicle, driving it into the crowd. The car is said to have struck eight people before the occupants fled the scene.
The Deceased and Injured
The two men killed have been identified as Dinesh Yadav (55) and his brother Kamlesh Yadav (50), both sons of Ramnaresh Yadav and residents of Ramdihara village. The injured — including Rajesh Kumar, Ritu Kumar, Krishna Kumar, and Ramesh Yadav, along with two others — were taken to Ara Sadar Hospital for treatment.
CM Choudhary's Response
Chief Minister Choudhary announced the compensation through a social media post, describing the incident as deeply tragic and offering condolences to the bereaved families. He directed officials to disburse ₹4 lakh to the next of kin of each of the two deceased and ensure proper medical care for all those injured. He said those responsible 'would not be spared under any circumstances.'
Allegations and Investigation
Dinesh Yadav's son has alleged the attack was deliberate. Some villagers have also claimed the occupants of the Scorpio were under the influence of alcohol at the time, though this has not been officially confirmed. Police are still investigating the exact sequence of events and the circumstances leading to the incident. Efforts are under way to identify and apprehend those involved.
The incident triggered widespread anger in the village, with residents blocking a road and staging a protest demanding action against the accused. Police reached the spot and launched a formal investigation.
Community Outrage and Wider Context
The attack, occurring on a festive night when villagers were gathered for religious observance, has deepened concerns about public safety during major Hindu festivals in rural Bihar. This comes amid a broader pattern of violence linked to noise disputes during festive gatherings in the state. With the accused still at large as of Monday, pressure is mounting on the district administration to make arrests swiftly.
Point of View
With lethal consequences. That the accused fled and remained unapprehended hours later raises immediate questions about police response time and local law enforcement capacity. The CM's swift compensation announcement and social media condolences are politically necessary but insufficient; the real accountability test is whether arrests follow quickly and whether a charge of culpable homicide — not merely rash driving — is applied. Bihar's record on prosecuting such cases to conviction, particularly when the accused are from locally influential groups, deserves scrutiny.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Bhojpur, Bihar on Diwali night?
A car allegedly drove into a group of villagers gathered near the Surya Mandir in Ramdihara village, Bhojpur, following a dispute over Chhath Puja music being played near the temple. Two brothers — Dinesh Yadav and Kamlesh Yadav — were killed and six others were injured.
What compensation did Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary announce?
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh each to the families of the two men killed in the Bhojpur car attack. He also directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the six injured.
Who are the victims of the Bhojpur car attack?
The two people killed are Dinesh Yadav (55) and his brother Kamlesh Yadav (50), both residents of Ramdihara village in Bhojpur. The injured include Rajesh Kumar, Ritu Kumar, Krishna Kumar, and Ramesh Yadav, among two others, all admitted to Ara Sadar Hospital.
Have the accused been arrested in the Bhojpur incident?
As of Monday, 9 November 2026, the accused had not been arrested. Police reached the spot and launched an investigation, with efforts under way to identify and apprehend those who fled in the Scorpio after the attack.
Was the Bhojpur car attack deliberate?
Dinesh Yadav's son has alleged the attack was intentional, and some villagers claimed the vehicle's occupants were under the influence of alcohol. However, neither allegation has been officially confirmed; police are still investigating the exact sequence of events.
