Patna man shot dead on Independence Day in Barh subdivision
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A 26-year-old man was allegedly shot dead on Independence Day in Shahpur village under the Salimpur police station area of the Barh subdivision in Patna, triggering panic among local residents. The deceased has been identified as Veeru Kumar, a resident of Lodipur village under the Khusrupur police station limits of Patna district.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to Veeru's family, he was first contacted by Sonu Kumar, nephew of the Majhauli Panchayat Mukhiya, and invited to attend a flag-hoisting programme. Veeru reportedly told Sonu he would join after completing his morning routine.
Shortly after, Sonu's two other nephews — Ajit Kumar and Prince Kumar, both residents of Shahpur — allegedly came to Veeru's home and took him along with them. Within a short time, villagers informed the family that Veeru had been shot and his body was lying on the road.
Police Response and Preliminary Findings
Officers from Salimpur police station reached the scene, took custody of the body, and sent it to Barh Sub-Divisional Hospital for post-mortem examination. Salimpur SHO Manoj Kumar stated that the deceased and the accused were known to each other and were reportedly friends at the time of the incident.
According to the preliminary police investigation, the two were together when Veeru was allegedly shot in the head. Police have also received information pointing to a prior dispute involving a financial transaction, which is being examined as a possible motive. Raids are currently under way to locate and arrest the accused.
A Second Shooting in Patna Within Days
This killing comes days after a separate gun attack in the city. On Friday night, Deepak Kumar, owner of Aanchal Alankar Jewellers, sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen while allegedly resisting a robbery attempt in the Kankarbagh police station area — a relatively upscale locality of Patna. He is currently undergoing treatment in the ICU of a private hospital, and his condition is reported to be critical.
Investigation Ongoing
Investigators are examining the allegations raised by Veeru's family alongside other circumstances surrounding the killing. The exact motive and sequence of events are expected to become clearer as the probe progresses. The back-to-back shootings have raised fresh concerns over law and order in Patna.