In a significant breakthrough, the Patna police have apprehended the primary suspect involved in the fatal shooting of a man in the Barh sub-division. The arrest was made on Monday night, bringing a key figure in the case into custody.
The Fatal Incident and Immediate Aftermath
The tragic event unfolded on January 3 at around 8 pm in Jal Govind village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Barh police station. According to the police, the victim, Dharmveer Paswan, was allegedly targeted because he was being pressured to withdraw an earlier assault case.
The accused, identified as Dheeraj Kumar Mahto, arrived at the residence of Raghuveer Paswan. Driven by a long-standing personal rivalry, Dheeraj opened fire at Raghuveer's brother, Dharmveer. The victim sustained critical gunshot wounds.
Dharmveer received initial medical attention locally before being rushed to a hospital in Patna. Unfortunately, he was declared dead upon arrival. Following the death, Raghuveer Paswan filed a formal complaint at the Barh police station, setting the investigation in motion.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Given the gravity of the crime, a special police team was constituted to investigate the murder. Sub-Divisional Police Officer-I (SDPO) of Barh, Anand Kumar Singh, addressed reporters on Tuesday to detail the progress.
He revealed that a total of five individuals were named as accused in the First Information Report (FIR). The list includes the husband of the local mukhiya, Arvind Mahto (alias Bhagat Mukhiya), Dheeraj, Shravan Mahto, Avinash Mahto, and Markari.
"Given the seriousness of the offence, a dedicated investigation team was formed," stated SDPO Singh. "Using a combination of technical surveillance and human intelligence, the team carried out continuous operations, resulting in the arrest of Dheeraj."
The relentless efforts of this team culminated in the arrest of the main accused, Dheeraj Kumar Mahto, on Monday night.
Ongoing Search and Recovery Efforts
While the arrest marks a crucial step, the investigation is far from over. SDPO Anand Kumar Singh confirmed that the manhunt for the remaining four accused is actively ongoing. Police teams are conducting raids at possible hideouts to track them down.
Another critical piece of evidence remains missing. "The weapon used in the crime has not been recovered yet," the SDPO admitted. However, he assured that intense efforts are underway to locate and seize the firearm, which is vital for building a strong case for prosecution.
The police have emphasized that the murder stemmed from deep-rooted personal enmity and the alleged pressure on the victim regarding a prior legal case. The community in Barh has been seeking swift justice, and this arrest is seen as a move towards that goal.
