Ranchi, Nov. 7: Hardly a month after his release on bail from Birsa Munda Central Jail, a land broker, Dilip Kacchap (22), was shot dead today in the Lal Khatanga village under Tupudana outpost of Hatia police station area in the city.

The incident took place around 12 noon when Kacchap was on way to Namkum block on his motorcycle from his village Ithe for some work.

Unidentified motorcycle borne criminals, police sources said, chased Kacchap before opening fire on him.

“They fired three bullet on Kachap from close range as soon as they reached near him and sped their motorbike towards Namkum before they could be identified. Out of the three bullets, two hit Kachhap at his head and chest while the third one went in air,” a police official at Tupudana outpost said.

An FIR has been registered at Tupudana outpost and efforts are being made to nab the killers. Police is trying to know the motive behind the killing. Kacchap’s body has been sent to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for postmortem examination.

City police superintendent, Richard Lakra said that Kachhap was released from jail during Durga Puja and had again started dealing in land. “He was accused in a murder case. The case was registered at Namkum police station in 2003 after the murder of a youth at a tea garden. The youth was allegedly shot to death by Kacchap. We are not sure whether it was a revenge killing or something else,” he added.

Officer-in-charge of Tupudana outpost, Neerajan Tiwari, said the matter was under investigation. “We are conducting raids to nab the killers, but so far no one has been arrested,” he added.

In another development, district police arrested Pawan Gope at Lapung and forwarded him to Birsa Munda Central Jail. Gope, a resident of Hapu village under Kamdara police station area of Gumla district, had shot one Bechua Kharia to death after abducting him from Hapu market in July this year.

Meanwhile, police is busy making inquiry to ascertain the reason behind the death Narendra Kumar, who was found dead yesterday at Ketari Bagan under Namkum police station area of the city. Narendra (35) had left his house for a morning walk at 5.30am was reported dead at 6.30am.

“We will first ascertain whether Narendra death was a case of murder or he died in an accident. He did not have enmity with anyone,” officer-in-charge of Namkum police station, Manibhusan Prasad, said.