Ward councillor shot dead by motorcycle-borne men in Patna, two arrested

The murder of Kedar Rai is suspected to be the fallout of a land dispute. He owned considerable immovable property in the area, and was known to be feuding with the land mafia for many years.

A councillor affiliated to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) was shot dead by three men on a motorcycle near Saguna Mor at Danapur in Patna early on Thursday.

Kedar Rai, who represented the city’s ward number 15, was out for his morning walk when he was attacked by the three motorcycle-borne men. (AFP file photo)

Police said Kedar Rai, who represented the city’s ward number 15, was out for his morning walk when the incident occurred. Though the politician was rushed to a private health facility in a critical condition, he died during the course of the treatment. The body was then sent for a post-mortem examination.

Patna senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaaj said two people have been arrested on the basis of a statement from the victim’s family. “We are confident of nabbing the culprits soon,” he added.

The murder is suspected to be the fallout of a land dispute. Rai owned considerable immovable property in the area, and was known to be feuding with the land mafia for many years now. Nearly 20 criminal cases were also lodged against him at the local police station.

The Patna police had recommended invoking clause 3 of the crime control act to extern Rai from the area for a month before the municipal elections in June. Though no such action was eventually taken against the councillor, he was made to compulsorily appear at the Danapur station every day for that period.

Efforts are on to nab the assailants, police said.