Attack in Broad Daylight Sparks Political Uproar; Rivalry Suspected as Motive
Patna: In a brazen daylight shooting that has rattled Bihar’s capital, five armed assailants stormed the ICU of Paras Hospital in Patna on Thursday morning and gunned down Chandan Mishra (36), a murder convict on parole. The incident occurred around 7:30 am, with CCTV footage — now viral — showing the assailants entering the ICU and opening fire.
The Victim: A Notorious History
Chandan Mishra, a resident of Buxar district, was serving a sentence at Beur Jail and had been granted parole for medical treatment. According to police, Mishra was involved in at least 24 criminal cases, including over a dozen murders.
He had been admitted to Paras Hospital’s ICU when the attack occurred. He succumbed to bullet injuries on the spot.
Investigation and Detentions
- Speaking to PTI, Inspector General Jitendra Rana (Central Range) confirmed that six suspects had been detained in Patna and Buxar, and that all accused had been identified.
- Patna Central SP Diksha said CCTV footage from the hospital and nearby areas is being analysed, and multiple teams are on the hunt for the attackers.
- Preliminary reports suggest that the attack was led by Tauseef Badshah, a known criminal with prior prison records and familiarity with Paras Hospital, reportedly due to a close associate’s treatment there.
Political Fallout and Accusations
The sensational killing has triggered sharp political reactions:
- Tejashwi Yadav alleged, “Criminals, protected by the government, shot at a patient inside a hospital. Is anyone safe in Bihar? Did such incidents happen before 2005 during RJD’s rule?”
- Independent MP Pappu Yadav said the incident exposed the collapse of law and order under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership. He demanded President’s Rule in Bihar, claiming caste-based killings were rampant.
Yadav also alleged he received a threatening call asking him to stay away from the case. “Everyone knows who the killers are. There’s a political angle,” he told reporters, drawing parallels with the Gopal Khemka murder case.
Parallel Incident in Patna
In a separate incident the same morning, Shubham alias Bunty was murdered outside his residence in Shahpur locality. He was attacked with sharp-edged weapons, said Patna City SP (West) Bhanu Pratap Singh. Police are investigating, but the motive remains unclear.
Hospital Security and Public Safety Under Scrutiny
The ease with which the armed men entered the ICU of a private hospital has raised serious concerns over hospital security protocols and overall public safety in Patna. While a case has been registered, authorities are under pressure to deliver swift justice and restore confidence in the law enforcement system.
