Police Suspect Neighbour Dispute; Probe Underway with Suspects Identified
Patna: In a brutal daylight shooting that has sent shockwaves through Bihar’s capital, a retired nurse from Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) and her 22-year-old daughter were shot dead outside their residence in Alamganj’s Arfabad Colony on Monday morning. The woman’s husband, a compounder, was critically injured in the attack and is undergoing treatment.
Victims Identified
- Mahalaxmi (59): Recently retired nurse from NMCH
- Santhali (22): Daughter of Mahalaxmi
- Husband: Compounder at a private hospital, suffered bullet wounds to his limbs
Attack Details
The shooting took place around 9:15 a.m., as the family sat on the steps outside their home near Jatahi temple. Two unidentified men on a motorcycle reportedly approached and opened fire at close range, before fleeing the scene while firing shots into the air.
A nine-second video, filmed by a local resident, shows the assailants escaping while discharging their weapons.
Despite being rushed to NMCH, both women were declared dead on arrival. The injured husband is under close medical supervision.
Police Investigation Underway
Top police officials, including Patna SSP Avkash Kumar, City SP (East) K Ramdas, and SDPO Atulesh Jha, visited the site. ADG Kundan Krishnan indicated that the killings may be linked to an old dispute with a neighbour, a theory currently being pursued.
“We have identified some suspects, but their names are being withheld pending a formal statement from the injured victim,” said SDPO Atulesh Jha.
Evidence Recovered
- 5 empty cartridges
- An iron knife
- A hoe
A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team and dog squad collected clues from the scene, while CCTV footage from nearby areas is being examined.
Background
The couple had a love marriage nearly 30 years ago, and their long-standing feud with a neighbour is now a major lead in the investigation.
