Patna: The deaths of four men after a drinking party in Patna’s Barh have taken a dramatic turn, with police claiming they have uncovered a revenge plot linked to a romantic relationship.
The police said on Tuesday that the case was solved within 48 hours of the incident and that the alleged mastermind, Lali Kumar, confessed to poisoning the alcohol served during the gathering. Three people have been arrested, while police are searching for another suspect and investigating the role of a minor.
Patna Rural SP Kundan Kumar said the incident was allegedly planned as revenge against Lali’s sister’s lover.
Four collapse after drinking alcohol
The incident took place on the evening of August 30 in Bedhna village under Barh police station. Five people were reportedly together at a gathering involving alcohol and fish.
Shortly after drinking, four of them suddenly fell seriously ill and lost consciousness. Lali Kumar, who was present at the gathering, raised an alarm and villagers took the victims to Barh Sub-Divisional Hospital.
Dr Shreya Shekhar, the hospital’s General Medical Officer, said the victims were in critical condition and had foam coming from their mouths. The medical team suspected that they had consumed a toxic substance.
They were referred to a higher medical centre in Patna but died while being taken for further treatment.
The deceased were identified as Shashi Kumar, 32; Vikas Ram, 40; Pankaj Singh, 45; and Nishu Kumar, 30.
Police took custody of the bodies and conducted post-mortems before handing them over to the families for the last rites.
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Four Die After Consuming Suspected Spurious Liquor in Patna’s Barh
Police allege poisoning was deliberate
According to Rural SP Kundan Kumar, the police investigation uncovered a romantic angle behind the deaths.
“A young man from the village, Lali Kumar, organised the drinking party to exact revenge on his sister’s lover,”
Kundan Kumar said, alleging that Lali had invited his sister’s lover and his friends to the gathering and later mixed poison with the alcohol.
Police said Lali’s sister was allegedly in a relationship with Nishu Kumar. According to the SP, Lali had been teased by Nishu’s friends over the relationship, which allegedly contributed to his decision to target them.
The poisoning claim is based on the police investigation and the alleged confession. The precise substance involved and its forensic confirmation will be subject to the investigation and post-mortem evidence.
Three arrested, one suspect remains absconding
A 15-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by the Barh-2 SDPO was formed after the incident.
Police said the SIT arrested Lali Kumar along with two of his associates on Tuesday. One of those arrested is a potato vendor who allegedly also sold liquor alongside vegetables.
Police said a minor is also among those allegedly involved, while they are searching for another youth, identified as Sunny Kumar.
Villagers had protested outside police station
The incident had initially triggered anger among villagers, who surrounded the police station over suspicions that toxic liquor was responsible for the deaths.
On Tuesday evening, Mokama MLA Anant Singh visited the families of the deceased and assured them of assistance. He called for an impartial investigation and strict action against those found responsible.
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Singh also provided Rs 25,000 in financial assistance to the family of one of the victims.
The police investigation is continuing, with forensic and post-mortem findings expected to provide further evidence about the substance consumed and the circumstances surrounding the four deaths.
