One of the accused in the sensational killing of gangster Chandan Mishra inside a Patna hospital has been detained, and all five assailants have been identified, the police confirmed late on Thursday. Raids are under way across multiple locations to trace and arrest the remaining suspects.
The detained man has been identified as Tausif, whose name emerged during the investigation into the daylight shooting that occurred inside Paras Hospital on Thursday morning, where Mishra was undergoing treatment while out on parole. CCTV footage showed five men entering the facility, calmly drawing their weapons, and executing the killing in full view of hospital security cameras.
“A criminal named Chandan Mishra, resident of Buxar district, against whom dozens of cases of murder are registered, was transferred from Buxar to Bhagalpur jail. Chandan was on parole and admitted to Paras Hospital for treatment. The rival gang shot him. He was undergoing treatment, and with the help of the Buxar police, we are identifying the members of the rival gang, Chandan Sheru gang,” said Kartikay Sharma, Senior Superintendent of Police, addressing reporters after the arrest.
Police are also examining the possible complicity of hospital security personnel, with suspicions that the gunmen may have received inside help. Sources indicated that the ease with which the men accessed Mishra’s cabin without resistance has raised red flags.
The brazen killing has intensified political heat in the state, which is headed for Assembly elections later this year. Opposition parties have sharpened their attack on the JDU-BJP government, accusing it of enabling a complete breakdown in law and order.
Also read: Gunmen storm Patna hospital, shoot jailed criminal on parole
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the state of reverting to pre-2005 levels of criminal impunity. “Government-backed criminals stormed into the ICU and shot a patient admitted to the hospital. Is anyone safe anywhere in Bihar? Has this happened before 2005?” Yadav asked.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha described the incident as “unfortunate” and said the government was committed to bringing the culprits to justice. “Such an incident is unfortunate. It will be thoroughly investigated, and the criminal will not be spared. The Chief Minister of Bihar has said the criminal will be caught and strictly punished,” he said.
Director General of Police Vinay Kumar defended the state’s crime record, saying that overall murder figures had declined from levels seen two decades ago. “Various measures are being taken to control crime. If we compare crime rates over time, around 2004, approximately four atrocities occurred daily. Since then, the number of murders has gradually decreased. Last year, around 2,700 murders were reported, a reduction of about 1,300 compared to 2004,” Kumar said.
Mishra’s murder is the latest in a string of high-profile killings in Bihar in recent weeks, including the deaths of BJP leader Surendra Kewat, businessman Gopal Khemka, and lawyer Jitendra Mahato. Each has deepened the perception that politically connected gangs are again asserting control over the streets.
The killing inside a medical facility has also triggered public outrage, with many questioning how a prisoner facing multiple murder charges could be kept in a private hospital without high security. Police sources said Mishra was part of a long-standing gang war in Buxar and Bhagalpur districts, and that the Chandan Sheru gang may have orchestrated the killing to settle old scores.
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