Hajipur/Patna: A 32-year-old gold merchant was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Vaishali district’s Tisiauta police station area on the night of Raksha Bandhan. The attackers allegedly fired multiple rounds at him before fleeing with his bag.
The incident reportedly took place between Bindi Chowk and Ram Suresh Chowk, when Vishal Kumar Soni was returning to his rented accommodation after closing his shop.
According to the information available, Soni suffered three gunshot wounds. A Dial 112 police team reached the scene after receiving information about the shooting and took him to the Jandaha Primary Health Centre, where doctors declared him dead.
Attacked near his home
Soni was a resident of the Maniyari police station area of Muzaffarpur district and was the son of Vijay Sah.
He had been living in a rented house owned by Kameshwar Sah in the Tisiauta area for the past eight years. He operated a gold business at Phulkumari Market, owned by Lalbabu Rai, around a kilometre from his residence.
On Raksha Bandhan, Soni had kept his shop open until late. After closing the shop, he began his journey home.
He had reportedly reached a deserted stretch around 500 metres from his rented accommodation when the attackers, who were allegedly waiting for him, opened fire. After shooting him, they fled with his bag.
Soni collapsed on the road with serious injuries. The incident triggered panic in the area, with local residents gathering at the scene before the police arrived.
Leaves behind one-month-old son
Soni had been married for around one and a half years and had a one-month-old son.
News of his death plunged the family into grief, with relatives reportedly inconsolable following the sudden killing.
Police probing robbery angle
The motive for the killing has not yet been established.
The fact that the attackers allegedly fled with Soni’s bag has raised suspicions that the shooting may have been linked to robbery. However, police are also examining the possibility of an old rivalry or other motives.
Investigators are questioning local residents and examining different aspects of the case in an effort to identify the attackers and establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.
