Tension has gripped Siwan following the lynching of a man facing criminal charges.

The incident occurred around 6.30am on Sunday when police spotted Raza Khan, an accused in the murder of RJD leader Minhaz Khan, with his associate near Kanhauli turning in Siwan district, around 145km northwest of Panta.

On seeing the cops, Raza fled from the spot and took shelter in the house of a man called Ramjan Miyan at Khwaspur village under the jurisdiction of Basantipur police station. He also fired discriminately. A local resident was injured, which prompted the residents to assault Raza.

Raza, who was in his early 30s, was beaten to death by the mob allegedly in the presence of the police. The cops were looking for Raza in connection with the killing of RJD youth wing leader Minhaz Khan, who was shot by a gang of armed miscreants while sleeping at his Sheikhpura residence on July 29 this year.

Siwan superintendent of police (SP) Saurabh Kumar Sah said Raza was facing criminal charges, including of extortion, loot and dacoity, in the district.

'He was active in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of Basantpur police station in Siwan district for long and had committed serious offences,' the SP told The Telegraph over phone on Sunday.

Sharing details of the lynching incident, the SP said a police team was sent to Basav village last night following a tip-off that Raza was hiding there. On seeing the police, he escaped from the scene and first dived into a local pond. 'As darkness had enveloped the pond, police kept on waiting for him. Raza, however, managed to escape and took shelter in a house located in Khwaspur village,' he added.

A police team led by Basantpur police station house officer (SHO) Uday Kumar and Sarai police outpost SHO Abhijeet Kumar reached Khwaspur village early in the morning and surrounded the house. On seeing the police, Raza started firing at the police team. A stray bullet hit a local resident, who was rushed to Siwan sadar hospital for treatment.

Agitated over the incident, the local residents dragged Raza out from the house and assaulted him in full public view. Raza succumbed to his injuries later, said the SP.

The SP, however, denied that Raza was beaten up by the mob in the presence of the police.

He admitted that tension prevailed in the Basantpur police station area of the district after the lynching of the murder accused. He revealed that marks of bullet injuries have also been found on the deceased's body, which suggested that he was shot with his own illegal weapon by a member of the mob.

Minhaz was considered close to incarcerated don and former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, who is at present lodged in Delhi's Tihar jail.