Bihar road rage accused Sonu Yadav killed in Siwan police encounter
Synopsis
A road rage shooting that killed a BJP leader's nephew in Bihar's Siwan has ended in a police encounter death — with the prime accused Sonu Yadav dying during treatment after being shot by police. His father's anguished account of being made to sign papers and leave raises uncomfortable questions even as the state celebrates swift action.
Key Takeaways
Sonu Yadav , prime accused in the Siwan road rage shooting , died during treatment after a police encounter in Barharia, Siwan .
The original incident on 29 April 2025 claimed the life of Harsh Kumar Singh (28) , nephew of BJP leader Manoj Singh , near the Laxmipur-Aandar Dhala overbridge.
Co-accused Chhotu Kumar Yadav was arrested on 30 April 2025 after a separate encounter in which he was shot in both legs.
Sonu Yadav carried a bounty of ₹25,000 at the time of the encounter.
Yadav's father has publicly questioned the circumstances of his son's death, saying the police action was "wrong".
Police say operations are ongoing to apprehend remaining accused in the case.
Sonu Yadav, one of the prime accused in the Siwan road rage shooting that claimed a life on 29 April 2025, died during treatment after sustaining injuries in a police encounter in the Barharia area of Siwan, Bihar. The development marks a dramatic turn in a case that has gripped the state since a routine road dispute turned fatal near the Laxmipur-Aandar Dhala overbridge.
The Original Incident
On 29 April 2025, Harsh Kumar Singh (28), nephew of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manoj Singh, was shot dead near the Laxmipur-Aandar Dhala overbridge in Siwan. His brother-in-law Chandan Singh sustained critical injuries in the same attack. The two were reportedly on their way to attend a Tilak ceremony when their parked vehicle was allegedly grazed by a speeding car. According to police, what began as a verbal altercation escalated rapidly, with the accused opening indiscriminate fire on the victims.
The Police Encounters
Acting swiftly, police identified the prime accused — Sonu Yadav and Chhotu Yadav — within hours of the shooting. Sonu Yadav was subsequently traced to the Barharia area of Siwan, where an exchange of fire broke out during the attempted apprehension. Yadav was injured in the encounter and transported to Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. He was reportedly carrying a bounty of ₹25,000 at the time of the encounter.
Separately, on 30 April 2025, the second accused, Chhotu Kumar Yadav, son of Veer Yadav and a resident of Hathaura village under Hussainganj police station limits, was tracked down during a late-night operation. According to Avinash Kumar, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Town police station, when officers attempted to apprehend him around 3:00 am, he tried to flee and allegedly opened fire on the police team. In retaliatory action, police fired back, injuring him in both legs. He collapsed on the spot and was taken into custody. No police personnel were injured in either encounter, according to officials.
Family's Anguish Over Sonu Yadav's Death
Sonu Yadav's father, speaking to news agency IANS, expressed grief and raised questions about the circumstances of his son's death.
Point of View
But rarely subjected to the independent scrutiny that the law requires. In a case already politically charged — the victim was a BJP leader's nephew — the pressure on police to deliver results was acute. That pressure, and whether it shaped the outcome for Sonu Yadav, is a question the courts, not just the police, should answer.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Siwan road rage incident?
On 29 April 2025, Harsh Kumar Singh (28), nephew of BJP leader Manoj Singh, was shot dead near the Laxmipur-Aandar Dhala overbridge in Siwan, Bihar, after a verbal dispute over a parked vehicle escalated into indiscriminate firing by the accused. His brother-in-law Chandan Singh was critically injured in the same attack.
Who is Sonu Yadav and how did he die?
Sonu Yadav was identified as one of the prime accused in the Siwan road rage shooting. He was traced to the Barharia area of Siwan, where he was injured during an exchange of fire with police, and was later declared dead at Sadar Hospital during treatment.
What happened to co-accused Chhotu Yadav?
Chhotu Kumar Yadav was arrested on 30 April 2025 after a late-night encounter in which he allegedly fired at police and was shot in both legs. He was taken into custody and no police personnel were reported injured.
What did Sonu Yadav's family say about the encounter?
Sonu Yadav's father told IANS that he was informed of his son's death by a watchman, was made to sign papers, and then asked to leave. He said he did not know what crime his son had committed and called the police action wrong.
Are more arrests expected in the Siwan road rage case?
Yes. Police have confirmed that raids are ongoing and efforts are underway to apprehend other individuals allegedly involved in the crime.
