Bhagalpur: A key accused in the Bhagalpur municipal office shooting was killed in a police encounter within hours of the crime, officials said on Wednesday. The accused, identified as Ramdhani Yadav, was shot during a late-night exchange of fire with police near Sultanaganj, around 12 hours after a government officer was murdered in broad daylight.
According to police, the encounter took place around 2:30 am on a bypass road barely 200 metres from Sultanaganj police station. Three police officers, including DSP Naveen, Inspector Parmeshwar and Inspector Mrityunjay, were injured during the gunfight and are undergoing treatment.
Bhagalpur SP Pramod Yadav said the accused had been identified using CCTV footage. “He was taken along for recovery of weapons when he and his associates opened fire on the police team. The police retaliated, and he sustained a gunshot injury,” the SP said. The accused was taken to Mayaganj Hospital, where he later died during treatment. The encounter reportedly lasted around 15 minutes.
The development comes hours after unidentified gunmen stormed the Sultanaganj Nagar Parishad office around 3 pm on Tuesday and opened fire. Executive Officer Krishna Bhushan Kumar was shot multiple times and died, while chairman Rajkumar Guddu sustained serious gunshot injuries to the head and chest. He remains critical, with a bullet lodged in his lung, officials said.
Preliminary investigation suggests the attack may be linked to a dispute over municipal tenders. Police said Ramdhani Yadav, husband of Deputy Chairperson Neelam Devi, allegedly wanted control over tenders, which was opposed by the chairman. This may have led to the planned attack.
CCTV footage from inside the office shows three men entering the chamber carrying bags before pulling out pistols. When people inside attempted to flee, the assailants opened fire. The Executive Officer is seen confronting the attackers and attempting to snatch a weapon before being overpowered and shot.
Police said around five assailants were involved in the incident, some of whom disguised themselves as labourers to gain entry into the office. One accused, identified as Deepak, has been arrested, while efforts are underway to trace others involved.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles and started firing without warning, triggering panic inside the office. Both the Executive Officer and the chairman collapsed after sustaining bullet injuries and were rushed to hospital.
Meanwhile, the incident has triggered a political row. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav criticised the government over law and order, alleging that such incidents reflect deteriorating security conditions in the state.
Senior officials, including the district magistrate and police officers, visited the hospital following the encounter. Security has been tightened in the area as investigation into the case continues.
