Three dead in suspected liquor smuggling disputes in Bihar's Samastipur district
PATNA: Three men have been killed in the past four days in Samastipur district of Bihar, a state where alcohol sale and consumption is prohibited. Police suspect the deaths are linked to disputes among individuals involved in liquor smuggling.
On the night of July 7, Prabhat Choudhary and his associate Sunny Kumar were shot dead. Police said Choudhary was facing 11 criminal cases, including charges of kidnapping, murder, and liquor smuggling. His father filed a complaint against Akhilesh Rai and others. Rai, who also has multiple cases of liquor smuggling registered against him, is absconding.
Samastipur Superintendent of Police Arvind Pratap Singh stated that a financial dispute may have led to the double murder. “There is information about a monetary dispute between Prabhat and Akhilesh. Sunny had no criminal record, but police suspect he was also linked to liquor smuggling as he lived with Prabhat,” he said.
In the second incident, Ishant Kumar alias Chhotu was allegedly kidnapped and murdered on the night of July 8. His body was discovered buried in a field belonging to Nand Kumar Singh alias Anandi Singh, who has a liquor smuggling case against him. Police used an earthmover to dig nearly 10 feet to recover the body. The SP said Anandi and Chhotu previously worked together but later had a falling out.
Meanwhile, Darbhanga range DIG Manoj Tiwari held a meeting with Samastipur district police officers on Saturday, instructing them to intensify efforts against liquor smugglers and their networks.
