Patna: Ajay Verma, a one-time criminal from Patna City area, was shot at near Gulbi Ghat under Sultanganj police station area on Wednesday afternoon. Ajay was going to Sadar court in connection with court cases when three bike-borne criminals fired at him.

Ajay, who was in the front seat of his SUV, received bullet injuries in the neck and was rushed to Patna Medical College and Hospital where his condition is said to be out of danger. As news of the firing spread, hundreds of his supporters reached PMCH. Police personnel from Sultanganj and other police stations, too, rushed there. "Ajay's condition is stable and he is out of danger," Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaaj said. Sources blamed rivalry with other criminal gangs for the firing incident.

Ajay, in his late 40s, had in recent years shifted from crime to carry out welfare activities. He unsuccessfully contested the last Assembly polls from Kumhrar seat against the BJP's Arun Sinha in 2015.

He has been facing several cases of loot, murder and dacoity. He had hogged the limelight in 2012 when he allegedly bumped off influential liquor trader Ashok Gupta at Kadamkuan. Later, he shifted base to Bengal. However, he was arrested from Bengal's Khamarpara (Chinsurah) area in November 2012 following a crackdown on his hideouts in Patna.

Though he was staying in Bengal with his wife and children, he remained connected to his men in Patna. He is out on bail now. Police sources said despite his criminal record, Ajay was considered close to a few senior police officers, who allegedly used his connections to nail criminals. On a few occasions, Ajay was seen moving around in police patrol vehicles. "He enjoyed the blessings of a few super cops earlier posted in Patna," a police officer recalled.

Criminal held

Police arrested Vijay Mahto alias Vijay Kushwaha from SK Puri police station area on Wednesday. Mahto was wanted by different police stations as he faced cases of murder, loot and dacoity at Kotwali, Buddha Colony, SK Puri and other police stations. His name figured in Patna police's list of top ten criminals.