Patna: Patna police have apprehended one individual in connection with the murder of Surendra Prasad, a local BJP supporter, revealing a contract killing allegedly fueled by political differences at the village level.
Ratan Kumar, 19, was arrested on Wednesday, with police stating he received an advance of Rs 2,000 out of a total supari (contract) of Rs 2 lakh for the killing. Two other suspects remain at large, and police raids are ongoing. A country-made pistol and a live cartridge, believed to be the weapons used in the incident, were recovered from Ratan, who had reportedly fled to Deoghar after the murder on July 12.
Eastern SP Parichay Kumar confirmed Ratan’s flight to Deoghar, though the accused denies it. Ratan reportedly confessed that the murder was a result of local-level political animosity. Surendra Prasad, known for his vocal participation in local body politics and panchayat activities, frequently acted as a conduit for villagers’ problems to public representatives. This active role, according to Ratan, “bothered his rivals,” leading to the contract for his murder.
The incident occurred on the night of July 12 in Sheikhpura village, Pipra police station area. Surendra Kewat (identified as Surendra Prasad in the initial report) was irrigating his field near Bihta-Sarmera State Highway-78 after dinner when four assailants on two motorcycles approached him. They reportedly fired multiple rounds before fleeing the scene.
Munni Devi, Surendra Prasad’s wife, filed a complaint against Ranjit Paswan and former Mukhiya Jai Prakash Paswan, naming them as accused in the murder.
