Patna: A 14-year-old boy died and his friend was injured in Patna after allegedly being forced by neighbours into delivering smuggled goods. Ujjwal Kumar, a Class 8 student, was driving a bike with his friend Priyanshu when they collided with a car near the Masaurhi railway crossing.
According to Ujjwal’s mother, Gauri Devi, neighbours Golu and Sumit trapped her son into smuggling activities. “For four days, I kept him inside the house to protect him. Golu called repeatedly and forced him to come out around 6 pm,” she said. Ujjwal was allegedly sent to Masaurhi to deliver 250 grams of gold.
Priyanshu told police that after delivering the gold, they were given biscuits by the receiving party. On their way back, the accident occurred. Ujjwal was critically injured and initially taken to a private hospital with the help of Dial 112. Before they reached PMCH, Golu and his associates allegedly arrived, took Ujjwal’s mobile and the bag, and shifted him to another private hospital in Kankarbagh, where he died.
Locals allege Golu has been running a liquor smuggling business for two years, influencing neighbourhood boys into drug and smuggling networks. “He has even managed to keep the police on his side,” said Aadarsh, a youth from the area.
Police said Priyanshu’s statement has been recorded and forwarded to the concerned station for further investigation. Gauri Devi has demanded justice, alleging her son was killed due to forced involvement in illegal trade.
