A 15-year-old boy was shot dead during an idol immersion procession near Paschim Darwaza in Patna City on Wednesday night, prompting police to halt the procession temporarily and investigate a possible dispute among members of the organising puja committee.
The victim, identified as Kundan Kumar, was first taken to Guru Gobind Singh Hospital and later referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital. He died during treatment at PMCH, according to the report. The shooting took place in the area under Khajekalan police station.
City SP (East) Shaileja said police reached the spot after receiving information about the incident and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. “Initial investigation has revealed the possible involvement of a committee member. However, a thorough probe into all aspects of the incident is underway, and further legal action will be taken,” she said.
Police are questioning family members and other people connected with the procession as investigators examine whether an internal dispute within the puja committee led to the shooting. The police have not established a final motive or announced an arrest in the information available so far.
The incident caused commotion at the immersion site and brought the procession to a halt. Reports of vandalism involving an orchestra trolley also emerged after the shooting, but police denied that vandalism had taken place. The conflicting accounts added to the tension at the location while the investigation was under way.
As the situation remained tense, Patna City DSP Shiv Shankar Kumar drove the tractor carrying the procession vehicle to the side of the road. The intervention helped clear the immediate route and allowed police to manage the gathering at the site.
Police later restored order and ensured that the idol immersion was completed peacefully. The investigation remains focused on establishing the sequence of events, identifying those involved and determining whether the alleged committee dispute was connected to the shooting. Further legal action will follow the completion of the probe.
