Patna, July 17: Rajan Kumar, 20, a student of BN College, was shot at in daylight at Golakpur under Sultanganj police station area today.

The incident occurred near Ganga Ghat when Rajan was sitting on the stairs of the ghat. Five to six criminals on two motorcycles reached the spot and fired at Rajan.

Rajan, who suffered bullet injuries on his chest, was rushed to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). However, he was not admitted in the PMCH and later the boy was shifted to a private hospital at Ashok Rajpath.

Shyam Kumar, a friend and neighbour of Rajan, said: “We don’t know the reason behind the firing and who were the ones who fired at Rajan.”

Shyam also ruled out the possibility of any enmity with the criminals claiming that it may be a case of mistaken identity. Since there was no power in the area, Rajan after taking his lunch, had gone to the Ganga Ghat when a few youngsters in two motorcycles came and open fired at Rajan.

Rajan, was operated upon in the private hospital and his condition is said to be stable.

On receiving information about the incident, the Sultanganj police reached the spot and recovered a pair of slippers and an empty cartridge from the spot. Station house officer, Sultanganj, Sanjay Kumar said: “The reason behind the firing is yet to be ascertained. The boy was said to be sitting alone at the ghat.”

The SHO also said once the boy recovers, the police would record his statement, which would throw light on the case. When Rajan was first taken to the PMCH, the employees of the premier health hub delayed admitting the victim. To this, the friends and relatives of Rajan created a scene at the hospital, however, the situation was brought under control.

Later the boy was rushed to Arvind Hospital at Ashok Rajpath. Rajan, a first-year arts student of BN College is the eldest of the three brothers in his family.