PATNA: Three unidentified criminals shot dead a 46-year-old lawyer near Sasamusa Pokharbhinda village under Kuchaykot police station area in Gopalganj district on Tuesday. The deceased, Rajesh Pandey, belonged to Kuchaikote Bazaar and was on way to court with a colleague.

The incident took place at around 10.45am when Pandey was riding pillion on a bike with a colleague, Jitendra Choubey, on way to Gopalganj civil court where both practised law. Choubey managed to escape unhurt in the incident as criminals targeted Pandey only. The crime spot is around 6km away from Pandey’s residence and around 15km from the Gopalganj civil court.

Professional shooters were involved in the crime. One of them used a 9mm pistol, Sadar SDPO Sanjeev Kumar said. “The lawyer was shot thrice. He was rushed to hospital but doctors could not save him,” he said. “They first shot him from behind and the side while on the move. One empty cartridge of 9mm and two of 7.65mm were recovered from the spot,” he said. Choubey was unable to tell anything except that the criminals didn’t have their faces covered.

SP Anand Kumar said it was yet not clear why Pandey was killed. “Police are investigating the case from several possible angles. His family members and people close to him could not say anything,” he said.

The SP said Pandey used to go to the court with Choubey for the past several months.
As soon as the news about the murder reached the civil court, the lawyers abstained from routine legal works, paralysing court proceedings. Gopalganj public prosecutor Deo Vansh Giri said the SDPO approached them and assured of cracking the case within eight to ten hours.

The Times