50-Year-Old Sand Trader Shot Dead Outside His Patna Home, 2nd Such Killing In A Week After Khemka Murder
A 50-year-old sand miner, Ramkant Yadav, was fatally shot in Patna, sparking opposition criticism. Police are investigating the murder, which follows the recent killing of businessman Gopal Khemka.
A 50-year-old man engaged in the sand mining trade was fatally shot near his residence in Patna’s Ranitalab area on Thursday, according to police. The victim, identified as Ramkant Yadav, was ambushed by unidentified gunmen in Dhana village. Authorities said he was rushed to the nearest government medical facility, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Speaking to reporters, Patna City Superintendent of Police (West) Bhanu Pratap Singh confirmed, “Police received information that Yadav was shot at by some unidentified persons at Dhana village on Thursday afternoon. Police reached the spot and took him to the nearest government hospital where he was declared brought dead”, news agency PTI reported.
The police have dispatched the body for a post-mortem examination, and forensic experts are currently aiding the investigation. “The exact motive behind the murder is not known. We have launched a manhunt to identify and arrest the assailants,” added SP Singh.
The SP Patna City (West) told news agency ANI, "We are investigating it, and we have set up a SIT. The rest of it is an evidence collection, how all that is being done and whatever comes in the course of advanced research will be shared with you guys."
Tejashwi Yadav, Congress Slam Bihar Government
The incident follows closely on the heels of the high-profile murder of businessman Gopal Khemka in Patna last Friday. Reacting strongly, opposition leaders slammed the Nitish Kumar-led government over deteriorating law and order.
According to PTI, Congress Legislature Party leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan said, “Yet another businessman in Bihar has been killed near his residence.”
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav posted on social media: “Businessman shot dead in Patna. The state is in a state of lawlessness under the unconscious Chief Minister’s leadership. BJP ministers and leaders are busy and engrossed in looting Bihar along with criminals and corrupt elements.”
पटना में कारोबारी की गोली मारकर हत्या।
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) July 10, 2025
अचेत मुख्यमंत्री के नेतृत्व में प्रदेश में अराजक स्थिति!
बीजेपी मंत्री व नेता अपराधियों और भ्रष्टाचारियों के साथ बिहार लूटने में मस्त और व्यस्त। #Crime #Bihar #NDA #Corruption
Police Reveal Contract Killing Plot in Khemka Murder Case
Earlier this week, Bihar Police claimed a breakthrough in the Gopal Khemka murder probe. Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar on Wednesday said the killing was the result of a soured land deal. The weapon used in the crime, a .38 bore pistol, was recovered from a hideout linked to the alleged shooter.
Khemka, reportedly associated with the BJP, was fatally shot outside his Gandhi Maidan residence around 11.40 pm on July 4—seven years after his son was killed in Hajipur.
According to police, Umesh Yadav, the alleged gunman, was arrested alongside Ashok Shaw, a businessman who allegedly hired him. “Shaw, another businessman, gave a contract of Rs 4 lakh to Umesh Yadav to eliminate Khemka, paying Rs 50,000 in advance,” said DGP Kumar. The remaining sum was reportedly paid the next day at JP Ganga Path, hours after the murder.
Police also seized 59 cartridges, a pistol with 14 magazines, and other incriminating materials from Yadav’s residence.
Officials revealed that Shaw and Khemka had a history of disputes, including an altercation at Patna’s Bankipore Club last year. Shaw allegedly provided the shooter with a photograph of Khemka, his car registration number, a 9 mm pistol, two magazines, and 18 cartridges.
After executing the murder, Umesh allegedly fled via Jamal Road and Patna Bypass, later hiding the murder weapon and his clothes at home in Malsalami. CCTV footage helped the Special Investigation Team (SIT) trace his motorcycle and confirm his identity through local testimony.
Police also discovered that the advance payment was used to clear Umesh’s children’s school fees. Initially, he had approached one Vikas Kumar alias Raja for the job, but due to high demands, he chose to carry it out himself.
Vikas, a Malsalami local, was later killed in a police encounter at Patna’s Damaria Ghat. His family has questioned the legitimacy of the encounter. Responding to this, the DGP stated, “The encounter took place as per the guidelines issued by the authorities concerned.”
“We are probing as to whether there was any common thread between Khemka’s killing and the murderous assault on his two sons seven years ago,” said the DGP. Notably, Khemka’s son Gunjan was killed in Hajipur in 2018. Following his father’s murder, his elder son Gaurav has demanded police protection.
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