In a shocking incident highlighting urban crime, an engineering student was robbed at gunpoint and brutally assaulted by a large gang in the heart of Patna, close to the district magistrate's official residence.
Brazen Attack in High-Security Zone
The terrifying episode unfolded on the night of January 1 in the Gandhi Maidan police station area. The victim, identified as Nivedan Kumar, a resident of Samastipur, was riding a motorcycle with two friends near the Gandhi Museum when they were intercepted.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged at the Gandhi Maidan police station on Friday, a group of 15 to 20 miscreants arrived in two vehicles, one of which was an SUV. The assailants, armed with hockey sticks, rods, and pistols, launched a vicious attack on Nivedan Kumar. His two friends managed to flee the spot, leaving him at the mercy of the attackers.
Victim Beaten and Robbed
The attackers allegedly beat the student for approximately 10 minutes, causing significant injuries. During the assault, they robbed him of over Rs 10,000. Suffering from head injuries, Nivedan Kumar was later admitted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) with assistance from the police and his friends.
Gandhi Maidan Station House Officer (SHO) Akhilesh Kumar Mishra confirmed that an investigation is underway. Police teams are actively scanning CCTV footage from the vicinity to identify the accused individuals involved in this brazen crime.
Possible Motive and Investigation Status
SHO Mishra indicated a preliminary angle being explored by the police. "Prima facie, it appears both parties may be known to each other and the incident could be linked to an old dispute," he stated. This line of inquiry suggests the attack may not have been a random act of street crime but potentially a targeted assault stemming from a prior conflict.
Despite the swift registration of the complaint and the initiation of the probe, no arrests have been made so far. The incident, occurring near a high-profile official residence, has raised concerns about safety and security in the state capital's prominent areas.
The case continues to be investigated under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for robbery, assault, and criminal intimidation. The police are relying on electronic surveillance and eyewitness accounts to track down the large group involved.
