Key witness in 2024 double murder case shot dead in Bihar's Chhapra
Synopsis
A key witness in a 2024 double murder case involving a lawyer and his son was gunned down near Chhapra, Bihar, just before he was due to testify in court. The killing has exposed a critical failure in witness protection and triggered a public road blockade — raising the stakes for investigators who must now determine whether the judicial process itself is under attack.
Key Takeaways
Pankaj Kumar Rai , a key witness in the 2024 double murder case , was shot dead near Methwalia Chowk in Saran district, Bihar late Sunday night .
Unidentified assailants on three motorcycles intercepted Pankaj and his brother Manish Kumar Rai ; Manish was injured and referred to PMCH, Patna in critical condition.
The family alleges the killing is linked to the 12 June 2024 murders of lawyer Ram Ayodhya Rai and his son Sunil Kumar Rai , and was intended to silence a court witness.
Angry villagers staged a road blockade on the Chhapra-Patna highway on Monday morning, demanding immediate arrests.
Police have detained two individuals for questioning; the official motive has not yet been confirmed.
Pankaj Kumar Rai, a key witness in the 2024 double murder case involving lawyer Ram Ayodhya Rai and his son Sunil Kumar Rai, was shot dead late Sunday night in the Chanchaura Panchayat area under Mufassil police station limits in Saran district, Bihar. The killing has raised serious concerns about witness protection in an already sensitive criminal case, with the victim's family alleging the murder was carried out to silence a crucial court witness.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to officials, Pankaj Kumar Rai was returning from a wedding ceremony in a neighbouring village along with his brother, Manish Kumar Rai, when unidentified assailants riding three motorcycles intercepted them near Methwalia Chowk. The attackers opened indiscriminate fire on the two brothers.
Pankaj sustained a gunshot wound to the head and died on the spot. Manish suffered a bullet injury near his ear and was rushed to hospital by local residents. Given his critical condition, Manish was subsequently referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) in Patna.
Protest and Road Blockade
On Monday morning, angry villagers and family members staged a road blockade on the Chhapra-Patna main road, placing Pankaj's body on the highway. The demonstration caused severe traffic congestion on both sides of the road.
Protesters demanded immediate arrests and questioned why the police had not provided adequate security to a witness in such a sensitive criminal case. The blockade drew attention to what the family described as a failure of the system to protect those cooperating with the justice process.
The 2024 Double Murder Connection
The family alleges the killing is directly linked to the 12 June 2024 murders of lawyer Ram Ayodhya Rai and his son, advocate Sunil Kumar Rai, who were allegedly shot dead while travelling to court in connection with a land dispute. According to relatives, both Pankaj Kumar Rai and his father Ramdev Rai were identified as important witnesses in that case, and Pankaj was reportedly scheduled to testify in court imminently.
The family suspects the attack was orchestrated to eliminate or intimidate a crucial witness ahead of his testimony — a pattern that, if confirmed, would represent a direct assault on the judicial process.
Police Response and Investigation
Senior police officials, including ASP (Sadar) Rampukar Singh, reached the hospital following the incident. Police teams conducted raids at multiple locations linked to suspects. Authorities have so far detained two individuals for questioning, with raids continuing to apprehend others.
However, police officials have not yet officially confirmed the motive, stating that all angles — including personal enmity, the previous double murder case, and other disputes — are being investigated. The case has been transferred to the relevant investigative unit for further action.
What Happens Next
With two individuals detained and raids ongoing, investigators face pressure to establish whether the killing was a targeted attempt to derail the 2024 double murder trial. The family's demand for immediate arrests and the public blockade signal that community patience is running thin. The Bihar government has not yet issued a formal statement on the matter.
Point of View
Yet formal witness protection mechanisms remain largely unimplemented at the district level. If investigators confirm the motive as witness elimination, it will raise hard questions about why a key deponent in a high-profile double murder was left without any security cover. The public blockade is a symptom of eroding institutional trust — and the pressure on the Bihar police to deliver arrests quickly is not merely political; it is essential to signal that the justice process cannot be dismantled by violence.
NationPress
29 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Pankaj Kumar Rai and why was he killed?
Pankaj Kumar Rai was a key witness in the 2024 double murder case involving lawyer Ram Ayodhya Rai and his son Sunil Kumar Rai, who were allegedly shot dead on 12 June 2024 in Bihar's Saran district. His family alleges he was killed to prevent him from testifying in court, though police have not yet officially confirmed the motive.
What happened in the 2024 double murder case linked to this killing?
On 12 June 2024, lawyer Ram Ayodhya Rai and his son, advocate Sunil Kumar Rai, were allegedly shot dead while travelling to court in connection with a land dispute. Pankaj Kumar Rai and his father Ramdev Rai were identified as important witnesses in that case.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Bihar police have detained two individuals for questioning and are conducting raids to apprehend other suspects. Senior officials including ASP (Sadar) Rampukar Singh are overseeing the probe, but no official motive has been confirmed yet. All angles — including personal enmity and links to the 2024 case — are being examined.
What did protesters demand after the killing?
Villagers and family members staged a road blockade on the Chhapra-Patna main road on Monday morning, placing Pankaj's body on the highway. They demanded immediate arrests and questioned why the police had not provided security to a witness in a sensitive criminal case.
Where was Pankaj Kumar Rai attacked and what happened to his brother?
Pankaj Kumar Rai was attacked near Methwalia Chowk in the Chanchaura Panchayat area under Mufassil police station limits in Saran district. His brother Manish Kumar Rai was also shot and injured near his ear; he was referred to PMCH in Patna due to his critical condition.
