Patna: A 65-year-old property dealer, Ashrafi Rai, was shot dead outside his home in Patna’s Domanchak area on Monday evening, triggering mob violence in which the two alleged shooters were beaten to death. Police have registered two separate FIRs — one for the murder and another for the lynching.
The firing took place around 8 pm on November 24, when two bike-borne assailants opened fire at Rai near his residence under Gopalpur police station limits. The attackers attempted to escape but were intercepted by local residents nearly 200 metres from the spot and assaulted fatally.
Shooters Identified
Police have identified the deceased shooters as:
• Praveen alias Rohan Kumar (37), resident of Kumhar Toli, Kankarbagh
• Vijay Kumar (37), resident of Yarpur, Patna
Rohan was reportedly identified by his clothing, appearance and a tattoo carrying his daughter’s name “Aarohi” on his arm. His wife, police said, works as a domestic help and was the primary earning member at home.
Property Dispute Angle Emerges
Preliminary investigation indicates a long-running property dispute. Rai was engaged in legal proceedings over six plots and had recently constructed a market on a 14-kattha land parcel in Jaganpura after a High Court order.
His family has alleged that relatives referred to locally as “Gotiya” had threatened him over the issue. Ashrafi’s daughter-in-law, Shakuntala Devi, claimed that individuals associated with the disputed property had filed complaints to stall construction and later conspired to murder him.
The family has named four people as suspects but has not yet provided full details in their formal statement.
Weapons Recovered, Conflicting Claims on Bullet Count
Police recovered a country-made pistol, a revolver, a spear, five live cartridges and multiple spent shells from the crime scene.
While the family claims Rai sustained 11 bullet injuries, police state that six bullets were fired.
Dual FIRs Registered, Over 50 Booked in Mob Violence Case
DSP Ranjan Kumar confirmed that a murder case has been registered and a separate FIR has been lodged against 50–60 unidentified villagers for lynching the attackers.
East SP Parichay Kumar said police have also initiated action based on the complaint filed by Rai’s family. “The motive appears to be a property dispute. Two additional suspects have been identified and are residents of Patna. Action will be taken once solid evidence is collected,” he added.
Aftermath of the Killing
Police said the assailants had been conducting surveillance on Rai for several days after allegedly receiving a contract to kill him. Investigators have seized a Splendor motorcycle (BR 01 HM 3195), which had mismatched registration and chassis details — suggesting the bike may have been procured illegally for the crime.
Following the gunfire and mob assault, panic spread through the area as residents shut themselves indoors. Both shooters were found dead nearly 20 feet apart, bearing multiple wounds including head injuries and cuts consistent with sharp weapons.
Security has been tightened in the locality and villagers are being questioned to trace the mastermind behind the contract killing.
