Mithapur bus stand. Telegraph picture

Patna, Aug. 2: Investigation launched into the murder of bus operator Ravikant Choudhary has been impaired by a “mole” in the police department. This was confirmed by a senior police officer who claimed the prime suspect, Kundan Singh, is receiving information from an informer in the police department and hence managing to escape arrest.

According to the police, Kundan, the man said to be behind the sensational murder of Choudhary, knows everything about the investigation. He is a notorious criminal who has a mole in the police who is supplying him all the information.

“Kundan is named in over a dozen criminal cases in Patna and around. Even then he has not been arrested even once. He knows about the different stages of investigation and hence the police are finding it difficult to nab him,” the senior police officer told The Telegraph today.

“The man is consistently changing his mobile number. As a result, zeroing in on him is proving to be difficult,” the officer added.

Meanwhile, Patna city superintendent of police Shivdeep Lande, who is leading the police operations against Kundan, said a compact team was working to crack the case.

“A team of four police officers, including myself, has been formed to investigate the case. We need to be discrete about the police action. The case is a challenge for the police and the culprits will be arrested soon,” the officer said.

Four gunmen shot dead Ravikant at his office near gate number 2 of Mithapur bus stand on the evening of July 27. Sources said Ravikant, the owner of Sri Krishna Rath Travels, was seated in his office, when a white Scorpio arrived there. Four men opened the doors of the vehicle and opened fire at Ravikant. He died on the spot.

His brother Bhanu Choudhary was also with him but was not injured. Later, Bhanu lodged an FIR at Jakkanpur police station accusing Kundan, a business rival of Choudhary, his son Mantu Singh, their relative Kripa Shankar, another man Saroj and two unknown persons of being involved in the murder.

Ravikant had a fleet of 35 buses that used to ply to different parts of the state as well as to Ranchi and Calcutta.