A file photograph of Pankaj Kumar Yadav

The bullet-ridden bodies of Pankaj Kumar Yadav, brother-in-law of former Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Yadav, and of his domestic help Babloo were found in Patna on Tuesday.

Pankaj’s body was found at a construction site right behind Digha police station in west Patna around 6.30am. “Residents of the area spotted the body,” said a police officer. Pankaj alias Pappu, 38, was an employee of the state Legislative Council. His relative Subhash is a brother-in-law of RJD chief Lalu Prasad.

When the cops, who confirmed Pankaj’s identity with the help of papers in his pocket, reached his home in the adjacent Akashwani Road area under Rajiv Nagar police station, they found the body of Babloo, 22. No FIR has been lodged yet.

The police officer said: “Pankaj’s cellphone was found by a man (whose identity the police are withholding) at RPS Mor, around 4km from Digha. He called one of the numbers on its call list. A close relative of Pankaj received the call. The relative went down to Pankaj’s house and found Babloo’s body. He called up Rajiv Nagar police station. Meanwhile, policemen from Digha also reached Pankaj’s home.

“The police suspect that both the crimes have been committed by the same person/s.”

A source said Pankaj and Babloo were alone in the house. Pankaj’s wife Sonali Sinha and their five-year-old child moved to her house near Saguna Mor, four months ago.

“The team of the forensic science laboratory conducted preliminary investigations and revealed that both the victims were shot from a close range. But it cannot be said whether they were killed on the same spot or different places. Pankaj’s car is also missing,” a police officer said.

Subhash Yadav rushed to the residence but refused to comment.

Patna Municipal Corporation ward number 4 councillor Abhalata, who is close to Pankaj’s family, said last night a few people had come to the deceased’s home around 10pm. “Some neighbours saw the men come. They stayed for around 45 minutes and then drove away in Pankaj’s car. No one knows if Pankaj was with them. Also, the TV at the house was on full volume,” said Abhalata.

Patna senior superintendent of police Amrit Raj told The Telegraph: “We are waiting for the post-mortem report.”