Patna: Police in Kadampua have foiled a murder plot targeting a man over a family inheritance, arresting five people, including the alleged hitman.
Authorities said Neeraj Pandey, the intended victim, became aware that his stepbrothers, Manish Kumar and Vikas Kumar, had allegedly hired criminals to kill him for a share of the family property valued at 1.5 crore rupees. The contract for the murder was reportedly offered at eight lakh rupees.
Police acted swiftly after receiving information from Pandey. Three of the hired criminals, including the alleged gunman, were apprehended in a grey car near Vaishali Chowk. Weapons recovered included two pistols, two revolvers, three magazines, and 18 bullets. A car and a motorcycle used in the plot were also seized.
The arrested men were identified as Bajju Kumar and Saurabh Kumar, residents of Kacchi Dargah in the Nadi police station area, and Karan Kumar from Phulwari. Five caps, allegedly worn to avoid CCTV detection, were also recovered.
City SP Madhyam Dixta said the suspects confessed that Manish and Vikas had orchestrated the plan to eliminate their stepbrother. “Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the weapons and examine the criminal history of the accused,” he added.
The incident came to light on Tuesday evening when Pandey informed police that he was being followed by armed men. A police team, led by Kadampua SHO Ajay Kumar, intercepted the vehicle, arresting Saurabh Kumar first. Two others initially fled but were subsequently apprehended, leading to the arrest of the two brothers who allegedly masterminded the scheme. The case reportedly stems from a long-standing dispute over ancestral property in Jahanabad, which Pandey inherited.
