Patna: The kidnap and murder of 14-year-old Raunak Kumar may have shocked the state capital, but it was part of a crime trend in Patna in which the assailant and victim know each other.

Raunak was murdered by Vicky Paswan, a fellow resident of Chanakya Nagar who Vicky's family members knew.

In January this year, a city fish seller, Phoolchand, was shot dead by local criminal Ajay Shastri in the Phulwari area. Phoolchand and Ajay knew each other.

Last year in September, an army jawan shot dead another jawan and later committed suicide in the Danapur area. The men were friends.

"In maximum number of rape, murder, loot incidents, the culprit is a friend or relative or an acquaintance of the victim," a senior police officer said under cover of anonymity.

"We have come across several cases of rape or murder where the culprit is known to the victim," the officer added.

He cited another example.

"Last year in September, an elderly woman, Asha Devi, was murdered with a sharp-edged weapon when she was alone at her Shivpuri house. The murder plot was made by one Ajay Kumar Das who used to visit the victim's house to sell ayurvedic medicines and oils. It was Das who had informed the killers, Raja and Sunil, about Asha Devi and her property," The officer said. "Police have arrested Raja and Sunil, but the third person Ajay is still absconding."

Similarly, in August last year, a 15-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by four youths including her boyfriend in Fatuha, 20km east of Patna.

"Such incidents are shocking and a cause of concern for the society," said city-based psychiatrist Brinda Singh. "The people committing such crimes are emotionless; they don't have the emotional attachment with their friends, relatives or others. Such persons are basically selfish

"When such people fail in life as per their expectations, they develop an aggressive attitude," Brinda added.

Another reason behind such an attitude is their upbringing, Singh said. "People especially children with a disturbed family life develop hatred for society and commit crimes in a fit of rage or provocation."

In Raunak's case, the murderer knew the boy's father was well to do.

Agamkuan police station house officer Kamakhya Narayan Singh said: "The accused, Vicky, had taken a loan of Rs 3 lakh for his cosmetics shop but when he was unable to pay the loan he thought of kidnapping the boy. Vicky killed Raunak as he was afraid of getting arrested by police."

The police officer claimed that Raunak's family has named more persons, including the son of an MLA, and the police are probing their involvement in the case.