Patna, July 13 (IANS) The main accused in the Rajasan double murder case in Bihar’s Vaishali district was injured in a police encounter on Monday after allegedly opening fire on a police team attempting to arrest him.

According to police, Jagdish Rai, the main suspect in the killing of two relatives in Rajasan village under the Bidupur police station limits, sustained gunshot injuries to both legs during the exchange of fire.

He was immediately shifted to Sadar Hospital, Hajipur, where he is undergoing treatment.

Police said they received intelligence that Jagdish Rai was hiding in a mango farm at Dilawarpur East in the Bidupur area.

Acting on the tip-off, a police team surrounded the location. The accused allegedly opened fire upon realizing he had been cornered, prompting the police to retaliate.

During the exchange, Jagdish Rai sustained two bullet injuries. Two bullets struck the police vehicle. No police personnel were injured.

The encounter is connected to a double murder that occurred on Sunday in Rajasan village. According to the investigation, a long-running dispute over land ownership and a pathway allegedly led to the violence.

Police allege that Jagdish Rai, along with his father Murli Rai, shot dead Munarik Rai (his uncle) and Jitendra Kumar, an Army soldier and his cousin.

Following the incident, police launched a search operation to apprehend the accused. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Vaishali Superintendent of Police Shubhank Mishra and SDPO Subodh Kumar.

After receiving information about the encounter, both senior officers reached the scene to assess the situation and review the operation. Police said Jagdish Rai has a criminal record, with several serious criminal cases, including murder, already registered against him.

Investigators are now questioning him to identify the involvement of any other individuals in the double murder case. Additional police personnel have been deployed in the area as a precaution, and officials said the law-and-order situation remains under control.

Superintendent of Police Shubhank Mishra said the accused fired at the police team during the arrest attempt. “Shots were fired at the police personnel, but none of our officers were injured. Two bullets struck the police vehicle. The accused, Jagdish Rai, sustained bullet injuries near both knees, and the bullets exited his legs. He is in stable condition, and doctors have been consulted regarding his health. The firing occurred while the police were attempting to apprehend him in the Bidupur police station area. I am proceeding to inspect the scene of the incident,” the SP said.

–IANS

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