Patna: Police have detained a juvenile in connection with the murder of 35-year-old spice trader Pintu Kumar, who was shot dead during a blackout drill at Musallahpur Hatt under Sultanganj police station area on May 14. The special task force (STF) and Patna police recovered a pistol, a magazine, and two live cartridges from the accused.The main shooter, a juvenile aged between 16 and 18, had received an advance of Rs 10,000 for the contract killing. The murder was allegedly plotted by criminals lodged in Beur Jail. The accused spent nearly 15 days posing as a daily wage worker outside the victim’s shop to conduct recce before executing the crime during the blackout drill.Speaking to reporters on Saturday, SP (East) Parichay Kumar said the case was initially blind due to a blackout between 7 pm and 7.15 pm. Taking advantage of the darkness, Pintu was shot at close range. A special team solved the case within 36 hours, detained a juvenile, and recovered the weapon.The incident occurred around 7.02pm, minutes after the power outage began as part of a mock drill. The assailants, already positioned near Pintu’s shop, approached him in the dark and fired a single shot at his head using a silenced pistol. Pintu’s father, Nepali Saw, who was present at the spot, said he neither saw nor heard the gunshot due to complete darkness. Pintu succumbed to his injuries while being taken to PMCH.The case is also linked to a previous murder in the same market. In February, trader Sonu was killed in Musallahpur Hatt, a case solved within 24 hours with the arrest of Vikka alias Vikas and Sanjay Gop.Police investigation revealed that Pintu knew the accused and was allegedly managing their illegal liquor operations after their arrest. While he continued to send money to Sanjay in jail, he reportedly defaulted on payments to Vikka, which is believed to be the motive behind the murder. The detained juvenile, who reportedly addressed Vikka as “bhaiya”, carried out the killing on his instructions. The conspiracy was hatched inside Beur Jail. Further legal action is underway, the SP added.
