Patna: A 42-year-old contractor was gunned down inside the premises of Bihar Scout Guide Office in Buddha Colony, Patna, Monday morning over a purported loan dispute. The daylight murder at the state capital has sent shockwaves, leaving the residents in disbelief and shock. The victim – identified as Rajesh Sahu Keshri, a resident of Kadamkuan – operated an electrical business. DSP (Law and Order) Krishna Murari Prasad said the incident took place at 10am when the contractor visited the office premises to conduct a review of pandals and tents for electrical work. “After completing his tasks, he was about to depart on his scooter. During this time, a confrontation erupted with an unknown person, which escalated rapidly. The situation turned violent when the assailant took out a pistol and fired at Keshri’s head,” he said. The contractor was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The police sent the deceased’s body to PMCH for post-mortem examination and recovered an empty shell from the spot. Upon information, a police team reached the spot, cordoned off the area, and deployed a forensic team to collect evidence. The police team has been gathering statements from potential witnesses, Prasad said, adding, “Prima facie, investigations revealed that Keshri took a large loan from several people for gambling and could not pay them back. We suspect that the criminal with whom he had a row came for the money. The eyewitnesses said that after the incident, the accused escaped on foot.” He added that the police are examining the CCTV footage of the nearby areas to identify the accused. “A case has been registered, and raids are going on for his arrest,” Krishna Prasad said.
