Patna: A retired army veteran was shot dead in broad daylight in Bihar’s capital on Thursday, in what police suspect is a dispute over land ownership.
The victim, Tejnandan Rai, 45, a resident of Ashok Nagar in Patna, was attacked in the Manpur Bairiya locality under the Gopalpur police station area. He had been overseeing the measurement of a plot and the construction of a boundary wall when the shooting occurred.
According to police, Rai was shot three times at close range. He was rushed to a private nursing home in critical condition but later died during treatment.
Police have identified the main accused as Vikas Kumar, the grandson of Chokha Rai. Officers said the land in question had been purchased by Tejnandan Rai from Chokha Rai in 2005. However, Vikas Kumar was allegedly staking a claim to the same property.
Ranjan Kumar, sub-divisional police officer (Sadar-2), said preliminary findings suggest the shooting was triggered by the long-running dispute. “Prima facie, it appears that Vikas Kumar fired three rounds at Tejnandan Rai,” he said.
Three bullet casings were recovered from the scene. Senior officers, including City SP (East) Parichay Kumar and Sadar DSP (2) Ranjan Kumar, visited the site as part of the investigation.
Tejnandan Rai had retired from the Indian Army and was working for a private company in Odisha, police said. Raids are under way to arrest the accused. Authorities said further investigation is continuing.
