Patna: A 20-year-old national-level volleyball player was shot and seriously injured in broad daylight in Bihar’s Begusarai district on Monday, in an attack police believe may be linked to an old criminal rivalry.
The victim, Govind Kumar, was returning home on his motorcycle after getting it serviced when assailants on another bike overtook him near Mirganj G.D. College Road and opened fire at around 3.30pm, police said. He sustained a gunshot wound to his back.
He was first taken to Sadar Hospital in Begusarai, but was later referred to a private hospital due to the seriousness of his condition.
Police said the attackers fled the scene towards Bajrang Chowk after firing. Officers from Ratanpur police station reached the spot after being alerted by local residents, and a forensic examination recovered a spent bullet casing and the victim’s motorcycle.
The Begusarai superintendent of police, Manish, said the case was being investigated from all possible angles. A police team led by Sadar-1 DSP Anand Kumar Pandey is reviewing CCTV footage from the area and questioning witnesses and family members.
“We are treating the matter with utmost seriousness. Raids are being conducted to arrest those involved,” he said.
A young man has been detained for questioning in connection with the shooting, police said.
Investigators are also examining whether the attack is linked to a violent confrontation in 2024 between two rival groups in Manjhoul. In that case, FIRs were filed by both sides, and several individuals were named.
Among those accused was Amit Kumar, who had named six people, including Govind Kumar and his brother, in connection with the earlier case. Police later dropped charges against Govind and four others during investigation, while his brother, Adarsh Bharti, was arrested.
Another accused in the 2024 case, Raman Kumar, who is linked to the rival faction, was also jailed in connection with the earlier violence.
Officials said the possibility that Monday’s shooting is an act of retaliation has not been ruled out.
Govind Kumar, a first-year BA student, is a prominent volleyball player from Bihar who first came to attention in 2021 after competing in the 43rd Sub-Junior National Volleyball Championship. He has since represented the state in multiple national tournaments between 2022 and 2024, and also featured in the Khelo India Games.
In the 2025 edition of the Khelo India Games, he was appointed captain of the Bihar volleyball team and led them to a bronze medal finish. Earlier this year, he also drew attention from selectors with his performance at the National Volleyball Championship in Varanasi.
Police said further investigation is underway and security has been tightened in the area as raids continue to trace the attackers.
