Patna: Panic broke out near Loyola School in the Digha area of Patna on Tuesday after criminals opened fire at a man identified as Shambhu Singh. However, the victim showed presence of mind and grabbed the hand of the shooter, forcing the gun upwards, resulting in an aerial shot instead of a direct hit.
According to witnesses, Shambhu Singh confronted the attacker and managed to push him back. People present at the spot quickly overpowered the accused and caught him. The mob thrashed the man before informing the police. The injured accused was later taken into custody and shifted to the police station for further action.
Police officials said two other suspects involved in the incident managed to flee from the scene. A search operation has been launched to trace them.
Central SP Bhanu Pratap said the arrested accused has been identified as Sikandar alias Rahul, a resident of Bihta. Preliminary investigation suggests that the incident stemmed from a dispute over pending rent money. The accused claims that Shambhu Singh owes him money, while the victim has denied any such dues.
Police also revealed that an extortion demand of ₹50 lakh had allegedly been made earlier and that this was not the first attack on Shambhu Singh. “The firing was aimed at intimidating the victim over the ongoing dispute,” the SP said.
During the search, police recovered one pistol and one country-made firearm from the accused. Further interrogation is underway to identify the role of the absconding accomplices.
Shambhu Singh has lodged a formal complaint against Sikandar alias Rahul at the Digha police station. Police are scanning CCTV footage from nearby areas to reconstruct the sequence of events. A motorcycle was also recovered from the spot with its number plate taped over, leading police to suspect that the attackers arrived on the same bike to carry out the crime.
The investigation is ongoing, and raids are being conducted to arrest the remaining accused.
