RJD leader shot dead near venue of Tej’s wedding, SHO suspended
PATNA: RESIDENTS OF ANISHABAD MORE UNDER GARDANIBAGH POLICE STATION WOKE UP TO THE NOISE OF GUNSHOTS AS ASSAILANTS FIRED AROUND 22 BULLETS AT DINA GOPE
The murder of a RJD leader and husband of former deputy mayor early Saturday morning in a busy locality of Patna brought shock amid celebrations in the party camp over the marriage of party chief, Lalu Prasad’s elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav.
Residents of Anishabad More under Gardanibagh police station area woke up to the noise of gunshots as unidentified assailants fired around 22 bullets on Dina Gope.
Police said Gope received six bullets and died on the spot while two of his relatives were injured in the indiscriminate firing.
Gope was returning home with his relatives after attending a wedding function around 4.30 am when the criminals targeted and attacked him.
The incident has caused embarrassment to the government on a day a large number of dignitaries are to attend the marriage of Tej Pratap in the state capital.
Worse: The place of occurrence is barely a kilometre and half from the marriage venue at veterinary college ground.
Sources said two senior police officials with their personnel had carried out a vehicle checking drive near the spot before the incident. The Patna police have deployed over 1,500 additional forces for maintain law and order besides traffic arrangement for Tej’s wedding.
Eyewitnesses informed that when Gope and two others alighted after SUV near his house, a black colour luxury vehicle intercepted them and sprayed bullets from a sophisticated AK47 assault rifle. Gope’s relatives—Raju Yadav and Vijay Yadav-- were injured in the shoot out and had been admitted to a local hospital where their condition was stated to be out of danger.
Soon after the incident, SHO of Gardanibagh police station Satendu Sharad was put under suspension following the directive of zonal IG N H Khan for failing to control the spurt in crime in Gardanibagh area. The IG also shifted Shard to Kaimur from Patna.
On getting information, police officials reached the spot and gathered empty cartridges.
Senior SP Manu Maharaaj said Gope’s family had lodged FIR against five persons in this connection and the investigation is on.
“Two of them have been arrested while a hunt is one to nab the other culprits,” he added.
Police suspect that some rivals of Gope, hired sharp shooters to eliminate him. Gope’s wife Amrawati Devi was elected from ward no 10 of Patna municipal corporation. In the previous poll, she had lost her seat to wife of one Sunil Rai.
“The motive behind the crime is not known. Gope had a criminal record. We are trying to unearth the actual motive behind the killing. Prima facile it appears to be a case of land dispute,” SSP added.