Patna: A two-year-old boy was shot dead in Begusarai district, around 110km east of Patna, on Wednesday evening allegedly because his father did not pay extortion money to a gangster who was released from jail last year.

Siddharth Kumar, son of businessman Kallu Rai, was shot near his house in Laxmipur Dhabauli (ward number 13) under the jurisdiction of Lakho police outpost. Siddharth, according to family members, had come out of the house to watch Goddess Saraswati's idol immersion procession when a bullet hit him.

He was rushed to a local hospital where he died during treatment late in the night.

The family had allegedly received extortion calls three days ago from Raj Babu, a known criminal, demanding Rs 5 lakh from Kallu.

Begusarai superintendent of police (SP) Aditya Kumar said an FIR had been lodged against four persons, including Raj, on Kallu's statement and a special team has been set up to nab the accused, who are absconding.

The SP, however, said the child's family had not lodged any police complaint alleging extortion demands.

Lakho police outpost station house officer (SHO) Bal Mukund Rai said a bullet hit Siddharth, whose nickname is Sidhas, around 5pm.

The SHO admitted that several shots were fired in the air during the idol immersion procession.

"Raids are underway to arrest the culprits," he added.

"I have nothing to say," said the child's father. "I have lost everything. Life is worthless without Siddharth, who fell prey to the bullets of anti-socials."

The family was so frightened that they were hesitant to lodge a complaint with the police, said a close relative who didn't want to be named for obvious reasons.

Pressed further about why the family was hesitant to approach the cops, the relative said: "Murder, extortion and kidnapping have become routine in the district. Those who dare to speak out will be eliminated. Nobody wants to be killed."