Muzaffarpur: A 21-year-old student who had been missing from Ahiyapur in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, was found dead in the Budhi Gandak river in Motipur on Wednesday, with signs of horrific torture. The victim, Abhishek Kumar, had been kidnapped and murdered, allegedly over a financial dispute involving a Rs. 5 lakh loan.
Kumar’s body bore signs of extreme brutality. According to police, his hands and legs were bound, acid had been poured on his face—seemingly to destroy evidence—and both his eyes had been gouged out. His toenails had also been pulled out, and his body bore multiple stab wounds.
The young man, originally from Ranipatti village in East Champaran, had been living in rented accommodation in Ahiyapur while pursuing his studies. His father, Vinod Rai, has named 12 people in a murder case filed with the police, including Kumar’s friend Ayush (24) and several members of Ayush’s family. One arrest has been made so far—Ravi Ranjan (24), a cousin of the main accused.
According to Rai, his son disappeared on the night of June 23 after being invited to a party by Ayush. When Kumar failed to return and his phone was found switched off the next morning, the family contacted his roommate and then filed a kidnapping complaint on June 24.
Vinod Rai claims the motive behind the murder was a loan Kumar had extended to Ayush six months earlier. The accused had borrowed Rs. 5 lakh to open a business—a tea, cigarette and hookah lounge named Talab near SKMCH (Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital). When Kumar asked for his money back, Ayush allegedly plotted his murder.
“He took him to a hotel, fed him, and then—with the help of accomplices—killed him in a car and dumped the body in the river,” said Rai. He added that Abhishek had married in 2020 and is survived by his wife and a two-year-old daughter, Shreya.
Town SDPO Vinita Sinha confirmed that acid burns were found on the body and that the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has been called in for further investigation. “The body has been sent for post-mortem. Raids are underway to apprehend the remaining accused,” she said. “We are confident of arresting them soon.”
