Seven arrested for murder of Sunsari e-rickshaw driver

ITAHARI: Police have arrested seven suspects for investigation into the fatal shooting of an e-rickshaw driver, Dinesh Kumar Chaudhary (45) of Ramdhuni Municipality–2, Sunsari, nearly two months after the incident.

Chaudhary was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Karmaniya settlement at around 5:20 pm on October 11.

Police say the incident was a crime driven by personal animosity and deep-rooted superstition.

Those arrested include Rajkishor Sah (43) and Nandkishor Sah (40) of Ramdhuni–1; Mohammad Ibran Miya (34) of Bokraha Narsingh–5; Giyas Mansuri (37) of Dewangunj–4; Mithlesh Yadav (25) of Dewangunj–5 of Sunsari; and Ankit Sah (28) of Rajbiraj–16 and Prince Kumar Das (28) of Rajbiraj–9 of Saptari.

All suspects had been absconding since the murder.

Preliminary findings suggest the killing was planned due to months-long family tensions, ‘witchcraft’ fear, and superstition, police say.

According to SP Keshav Kumar Thebe of the District Police Office, Sunsari, the suspects have admitted that they murdered Dinesh because they believed he had been using ‘witchcraft’ to cause suffering and illness to their family members.

Thebe said the murder was orchestrated mainly by Rajkishor Sah and Nandkishor Sah. “Our investigation shows that Rajkishor and Nandkishor Sah planned the murder, accusing Chaudhary of using witchcraft to make their family members suffer for a long time. They then offered money to Mohammad Ibran Miya to kill Dinesh,” Thebe said.

The Sunsari District Court has extended the remand of the accused by 12 days for further investigation.

All seven suspects have confessed to their involvement in the murder, Thebe added.