A 34-year-old man was lynched by villagers in Bihar's Sheikhpura district on Thursday after he allegedly opened fire on his wife, who was traveling in an autorickshaw. The woman sustained critical injuries, while her six-year-old child was hurt after falling from the vehicle during the ensuing chaos. The incident occurred near the Kaithwa railway gate under the Sirari police station area.
Victim and suspect identified
The deceased was identified as Deepak Thakur (34), son of Ramcharan Thakur, a resident of Milki Sultanpur village under Warisaliganj in Nawada district. His wife, Pratima Devi (32), was critically injured in the shooting. The child, Ravish Kumar (6), son of Ranjit Thakur of Kaithwa village, suffered minor injuries.
History of domestic violence
Police revealed that Deepak had a history of assaulting Pratima over dowry demands. Approximately six months ago, he allegedly attacked her with an iron rod, leaving her seriously injured. Following that incident, Pratima filed an FIR against him for dowry harassment and attempted murder. He was subsequently jailed in Nawada for three months and was recently released on bail.
According to police, the couple had been married for six years and had a son together. After their relationship deteriorated, Pratima had been living separately in Nawada and working at a ghee packaging unit. She had visited her parental home two days prior to the incident to celebrate her son's birthday and had gone to Kaithwa on Wednesday.
Sequence of events
On Thursday, Pratima boarded an autorickshaw with other women from Kaithwa to attend a Mahayagya in nearby Sirari. Police said Deepak was allegedly lying in wait and opened fire near the railway gate using a pistol. A bullet struck Pratima in the jaw. In the ensuing panic, the child fell from the autorickshaw and sustained injuries.
Sheikhpura Superintendent of Police Baliram Kumar Chaudhary said, “A pistol and one empty shell were recovered from the spot. A probe is underway.”
The incident highlights the persistent issue of dowry-related violence in the region. Authorities are investigating the case and have assured strict action against those responsible for the lynching.
