Patna: Seven people, including six members of a police team, have been arrested in connection with the murder of prohibition constable Ajeet Kumar, 30, in Nalanda, with investigators alleging that evidence was concealed and a false story about an attack by liquor smugglers was fabricated.Those arrested are prohibition sub-inspector Pushpa Kumari, home guard constables Rishu Kumar, Deenanath and Sunny Kumar, prohibition constable Anup Kumar, private driver Gaurav alias Nishant and Shankar Kumar, a resident of Ramkrishna Nagar in Patna. Shankar’s role in the case is not yet known.Ajeet was killed after being hit by a bullet fired from the rifle of a fellow home guard jawan during a chase on the night of Oct 14. The team later allegedly fabricated a story claiming liquor smugglers had opened fire on the police party.To stop the smugglers’ vehicle, which was fleeing at high speed, a home guard jawan fired from his traditional wooden rifle (musket/.303). The bullet missed the smugglers’ vehicle but hit another vehicle of the prohibition, excise and registration department that was moving ahead, killing Ajeet on the spot.The team initially claimed liquor smugglers and their alleged facilitators, or ‘liners’, had fired multiple rounds at the police party. However, separate questioning by a special investigation team, formed under the leadership of the Rajgir SDPO, revealed major contradictions in their accounts.Nalanda SP Hriday Kant said, “On charges of hiding evidence and concocting a false story, woman sub-inspector Pushpa Kumari, two home guard jawans, a constable and the vehicle driver have been arrested. The rifle used in the crime has been seized.”Investigators also found an attempt to destroy evidence after the incident. Instead of handing over the vehicle in which the bullet hit the police in Nalanda, it was sent directly to Patna. Police recovered the vehicle from Patna in the morning and found clear marks of bullet entry from behind.There was also prior friendship between Pushpa and Ajeet, prompting speculation about an affair. However, Kant said, “It has not been confirmed yet as investigation is still going on.”
