PATNA: In a shocking escalation of violence just months ahead of Bihar’s Assembly elections, a lawyer was shot dead in broad daylight barely 300 metres from a police station in the state capital Patna. The victim, Jitendra Kumar, was attacked at close range while having tea at a roadside stall, police officials confirmed.
The incident marks the third high-profile murder in a week in Bihar, raising serious questions about the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
According to Patna (City) SP Parichay Kumar, Jitendra Kumar was shot multiple times by unidentified assailants, who fled the scene immediately after the attack. The lawyer was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries during treatment. “We are scanning CCTV footage of the area to identify the culprits,” the SP said.
A forensics team has collected samples and evidence from the crime scene. The police are yet to determine the motive or exact number of attackers. The SP added that the lawyer, though trained, had not been practising for the past two years and regularly visited the area for tea.
This brazen killing comes in the wake of two other major murders that have rattled the state:
- Gopal Khemka, a prominent businessman, was shot dead earlier in the week, a killing that sent shockwaves through the state’s business and political circles.
- Surendra Kewat, a BJP leader, veterinarian and farmer, was the second victim. He was shot four times and later died at AIIMS Patna during treatment.
The latest murder has triggered a fierce political backlash. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav slammed the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government, alleging a complete breakdown of governance. “This is jungle raj in Bihar,” he said, citing the series of daylight murders.
With the Assembly polls nearing, the rising crime rate—especially high-profile killings in public view—has put the administration on the defensive. Meanwhile, residents and opposition leaders alike are demanding urgent action and accountability from law enforcement agencies.
