Patna: A 34-year-old man was lynched by villagers in Sheikhpura district on Thursday after he allegedly opened fire at his wife travelling in an autorickshaw. The woman sustained critical injuries, while her six-year-old child was hurt after falling from the vehicle in the chaos. The incident took place near the Kaithwa railway gate under the Sirari police station area.The deceased was identified as Deepak Thakur (34), son of Ramcharan Thakur, a resident of Milki Sultanpur village under Warisaliganj in Nawada. His wife, Pratima Devi (32), was critically injured, while the child, Ravish Kumar (6), son of Ranjit Thakur of Kaithwa village, suffered minor injuries.Police said Deepak had a history of assaulting Pratima over dowry demands. About six months ago, he allegedly attacked her with an iron rod, leaving her seriously injured. Following the incident, Pratima lodged an FIR against him for dowry harassment and attempt to murder. He was jailed in Nawada for three months and was recently released on bail.According to police, the couple had been married for six years and has a son. After their relationship deteriorated, Pratima had been living in Nawada and working in a ghee packaging unit. She had visited her parental home two days ago for her son’s birthday and had gone to Kaithwa on Wednesday.On Thursday, she boarded an auto with other women from Kaithwa to attend a Mahayagya in nearby Sirari. Police said Deepak was allegedly lying in wait and opened fire near the railway gate using a pistol. A bullet struck Pratima in the jaw. In the ensuing panic, the child fell from the auto and was injured.Sheikhpura SP Baliram Kumar Chaudhary said, “A pistol and one empty shell were recovered from the spot. A probe is underway.”
