Patna, Jan. 16: A businessman, who had allegedly refused to pay extortion money to criminals, was shot dead in his shop this morning.
The deceased, 42-year-old Ravikant Prasad, owned New Sonali Jewellers shop at the Rajapur Pul area under the jurisdiction of the SK Puri police station. The police have confirmed that one person identified as Munchun has been arrested.
Patna SSP Manu Maharaaj said the Durgesh Sharma gang was involved in the murder. The man arrested, Munchun, has admitted to the crime, the SSP said. Stating that the reason for the murder was that the deceased refused to pay extortion money of Rs 10,000, the officer said a hunt for two more persons, Karmu and Ganesh, was on, apart from Durgesh Sharma and his gang.
It was Karmu who got inside the shop and shot the man. Munchun and Ganesh were waiting outside and all of them fled after the murder, the officer said.
Around 10.30am today, Ravikant, after opening his shop and performing morning prayers, had taken a seat in the counter when Karmu entered the shop, had a conversation and then shot him point-blank on his chest and fled. Ravikant was rushed to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) where doctors declared him brought dead.
Sources said Ravikant had been asked to pay extortion money by Sharma, who is wanted in criminal incidents.
"Details cannot be divulged at this moment. The police scanned the shop but no CCTV camera was found," additional superintendent of police (law and order) Shibli Nomani, said.
Ravikant used to leave his house, located at Pakri 70 Feet in Digha, everyday around 9.30am. Rajnikant Prasad, the nephew of the deceased, said Ravikant had refused to pay extortion money to criminals. "The demand for extortion came around three months back and he had refused to pay. Though his business was going well, Ravikant used to live in tension. There were some Mainpura-based criminals who also used to trouble him. The state government talks about concrete law and order. Is this what they mean by their claims? The man has got two teenage sons and a daughter. Who will take care of them now?" Rajnikant said.
Residents blocked Rajapul Road resulting in cops having to send reinforcements to bring things under control.
Residents said the shooter might have fled towards the Mainpura area located at a stone's throw from the spot. "He was a simple man and used to come each day to his shop on his two-wheeler. His behaviour was always polite with everyone. Though I am not an eyewitness, there is a buzz that the man who shot him, fled towards the Mainpura area and we told the same to the police. I am a businessman and such incidents are scary. Incidents like these force us to think of wrapping up our business and settle elsewhere," said Ashok Kumar, a businessman in the same area.
SSP Maharaaj led a team to Mainpura and a search operation was conducted. Deputy inspector-general (central range) Shalin said he was monitoring the case.
An inconsolable Saurabh (18), the elder son of Ravikant, said he didn't have any idea about extortion threats. "My father never used to discuss work with us. Those who did this must be arrested without any delay," he said.
Deputy chief minister Tejaswi said immediate arrests were not possible. "Criminals incidents keep occurring. Crime occurs in the BJP-ruled states as well. Those who have given shape to this incident will surely be arrested and there will be no exceptions," he said.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad said: "The police are on the job. The RJD has nothing to do with it."
