Hazaribag: A woman was shot dead and her husband sustained injuries after unidentified assailants opened fire on the motorcycle-borne couple in Hazaribag district late on Sunday night.The incident took place on the Khalari-Patratu main road under Keredari police station limits, near a weekly market. The deceased has been identified as Manju Devi (26), while her husband Vikas Prajapati (30) sustained a bullet injury to his left arm.Police said that the couple, residents of Rai Basti, were returning home from Ramgarh after shopping when attackers, allegedly waiting near a culvert close to a coal station, fired multiple rounds at them. Manju Devi was hit in the head and collapsed on the spot, while Vikas was injured.Locals rushed the two to Bachra hospital, where doctors declared Manju dead. Vikas was later referred to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi.A police team led by Hendegir police picket OC Ajay Kumar reached the spot soon after being alerted and recovered empty cartridges from the scene. He said a case has been registered and raids are underway to identify and nab the assailants.Meanwhile, the woman’s family lodged a complaint expressing suspicion over the role of her husband and in-laws. In their application, they alleged a history of domestic discord and claimed Vikas had been in contact with his first wife and his girlfriend, which had led to frequent disputes with Manju.Police officials said all angles, including personal enmity and family dispute, are being probed. The body has been sent to Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College Hospital in Hazaribagh for post-mortem examination.
