Patna: Unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants shot dead a 36-year-old jewellery shop owner in Samastipur’s Dalsinghsarai area late Monday night, shortly after he left his shop for home. The killing took place near Kalisthan in Pagda (ward no. 9), when the attackers allegedly came from behind and opened fire before fleeing.The victim was identified as Rajesh Kumar Poddar, son of Rajkumar Poddar and a resident of Ghat Nawada. Poddar owned a jewellery shop at Kali Chowk in Dalsinghsarai.Poddar sustained two gunshot wounds in the abdomen and waist and he died at the spot. The shooting triggered panic in the locality.A police team led by Dalsinghsarai DSP Vivek Kumar Sharma and SHO Mohammad Irshad Alam reached the spot and launched an investigation. “Two spent cartridges and a live round were recovered during the initial examination of the crime scene. Police also questioned residents and were checking CCTV footage to identify the shooters and determine the direction in which they escaped,” the DSP said.The presence of jewellery at the crime spot has made the circumstances of the killing particularly significant for investigators. Poddar was carrying gold and silver ornaments estimated to be worth Rs 8-10 lakh. The criminals did not touch the valuables and his motorcycle was also found at the spot. Police have therefore not established a robbery motive and are examining whether the merchant was deliberately targeted.Family members said Poddar had no known dispute with anyone. His cousin Raju Poddar said the family received information about the shooting around 9.30pm and reached the location shortly afterwards.Superintendent of police Arvind Pratap Singh said the circumstances and motive of the murder were being investigated. Police are questioning the trader’s family and people connected with his business besides examining CCTV footage and other evidence collected from the spot, he added; the body was sent for post-mortem and the FSL team collected evidence from the spot.
