Jamshedpur, June 30 (IANS) Four Jharkhand Police personnel, including the Station House Officer (SHO) of Bistupur police station, were suspended on Tuesday following the sensational murder of Karni Sena youth leader Himanshu Singh outside the Double Down (DD) Pub and Bar in Jamshedpur, officials said.

The district administration has also sealed the nightclub.

The action comes in the wake of widespread public outrage and sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who have called the entire episode a glaring failure of law and order in Jharkhand.

Senior Superintendent of Police Kishore Kaushal suspended Bistupur SHO Dubey with immediate effect. Police Inspector Niranjan Kumar has been appointed in his place.

Earlier, two Assistant Sub-Inspectors and a constable posted on a PCR van had also been placed under suspension for alleged dereliction of duty.

Acting on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Ranjan, authorities sealed the Double Down Pub and Bar and ordered a detailed probe into its licence, security arrangements, CCTV surveillance system, staff conduct and compliance with excise and safety regulations.

Police have registered an FIR against 10-11 persons, including the bar operator and BJP leader Neeraj Singh. Three accused, including Sonu Ram Sardar and Raj Lohar, have been arrested so far, while raids are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.

Additional Director General, Law and Order, Manoj Kaushik visited Jamshedpur on Tuesday to review the investigation and directed officials to expedite the probe.

According to police, the incident started with an altercation inside the pub late on the night of June 27. Singh and his friend Pratyush Anand allegedly objected to the harassment of some women by a group of youths inside the pub. The confrontation escalated and spilled outside the pub premises.

Investigators say that when a PCR van reached the spot, Singh and Anand sought refuge inside the police vehicle. However, the attackers allegedly dragged them out in full view of police personnel and brutally assaulted them with sharp-edged weapons, including knives and cleavers.

The attack, captured on CCTV cameras, has triggered outrage across the city, questioning the police response.

Both victims were rushed to Tata Main Hospital (TMH) with critical injuries. Singh succumbed during treatment on Monday, while Anand remains under medical care.

News of Singh’s death sparked massive protests in Jamshedpur on Monday evening. Karni Sena activists and local residents staged a blockade at the Bistupur roundabout for nearly six hours, demanding justice and accountability.

During the agitation, the official vehicle of City SP Lalit Meena was attacked and its windowpanes damaged.

–IANS

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