Patna: A 25-year-old man who had gone to his in-laws’ house in Nalanda was found dead under mysterious circumstances near the railway track at Tungi Halt under Deepnagar police station area on Sunday. His family alleged that he was assaulted by his in-laws and his body was later dumped near the railway track. Police said the cause of death was yet to be established, though a serious head injury was found.The deceased was identified as Neeraj Kumar, son of Virendra Yadav of Manjhauli village under Neemchak Bathani police station area in Gaya district.His grandfather, Rajdev Yadav, alleged that Neeraj had married a woman from Devdha village, daughter of Mahesh Yadav, around three to four years ago. The couple also had a daughter.According to the family, Neeraj had repeatedly visited his in-laws’ house seeking his wife’s ‘vidai’, but was allegedly assaulted and turned away. They further alleged that his in-laws had recently sought Rs 10,000-Rs 20,000 to settle the dispute and arrange the ‘vidai’ during Teej-Karma festivities.The family alleged that Neeraj was called to his in-laws’ house after being promised a meal and his wife’s ‘vidai’ the following day. They claimed that after he reached there, his brother-in-law, father-in-law and others assaulted him and later abandoned him in a critical condition near Tungi Halt.Neeraj reportedly called his family the following morning and told them that something had happened to him, pleading for help. His phone was subsequently switched off, following which the family learnt about his death.However, Neeraj’s brother-in-law Bhajan Kumar denied the murder allegations. He said he was returning from Patna after driving a vehicle when he learnt about an accident.Bhajan claimed that he searched hospitals and nearby areas but could not find Neeraj. He said he learnt of the death only after police showed him a photograph at the police station the next morning.Deepnagar SHO Suman Kumar said police recovered the body near the railway track at Tungi Halt and sent it to Sadar Hospital for post-mortem. “Prima facie, head injury appears to be the reason behind the death,” he said.Police said it was yet to be established whether Neeraj died after falling from a train, in an accident or following an assault. The exact cause of death will be known after the post-mortem report comes. Further action will be taken after the family submits a written complaint, police said.
