RJD Chief Links Bihar Municipal Officer’s Murder to NDA MLA’s Alleged ₹50 Lakh Demand

Patna/New Delhi: The murder of Bihar municipal officer has triggered a political controversy after his wife alleged that Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MLA Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Sonu Singh had demanded ₹50 lakh from her husband and last contacted him on July 29. The allegations surfaced even as Bihar Police said the officer’s driver has confessed to the killing and is the primary accused in the case.

Vimal Kumar, Executive Officer of the Dehri-Dalmianagar Municipal Council in Rohtas district, was attacked while travelling from Dehri-on-Sone to Patna late Saturday night. He was rushed to Narayan Medical College and Hospital in Jamuhar, where doctors declared him dead.

The incident was initially believed to be an attack by unidentified assailants on the highway. However, investigators later ruled out gunfire after the post-mortem examination found no bullet injuries. Police said Kumar died from multiple blunt-force injuries.

Aurangabad Police subsequently arrested Kumar’s driver, Mithilesh Kumar, alleging that he confessed during interrogation to attacking the officer with an iron lever kept inside the official vehicle. Investigators claim the driver later attempted to stage the incident to resemble an attack by unknown criminals on the highway.

According to police, the accused told investigators that prolonged work pressure, workplace disputes and a heated argument during the journey led to the attack. Police also said they recovered the alleged murder weapon based on information provided by the accused. The investigation remains underway.

The case acquired a political dimension after the victim’s wife, Babita Kumari, alleged that Rajiv Ranjan Singh, popularly known as Sonu Singh, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MLA from Dehri-on-Sone, had repeatedly demanded between ₹25 lakh and ₹50 lakh from her husband. She further alleged that the legislator frequently summoned Kumar and that the last such call was made on July 29.

On Sunday, Tejashwi Yadav visited Kumar’s residence, met the bereaved family and attended the officer’s funeral. Later, in a post on X, the Leader of the Opposition alleged that an NDA MLA had demanded ₹50 lakh from Kumar and claimed the officer was killed after failing to meet the alleged demand. Yadav described the incident as a reflection of Bihar’s deteriorating law and order situation and demanded a fair and impartial investigation.

The MLA has rejected the allegations, calling them politically motivated. He said he had earlier raised questions in the Bihar Assembly regarding the functioning of the municipal officer and would comment further after the police investigation reaches its conclusion.

Police have not named the MLA as an accused or linked him to the murder. Investigators continue to maintain that the driver is the principal accused and that the case is being investigated on the basis of forensic evidence, witness statements and the driver’s alleged confession.

The victim’s family has questioned the police’s version of events and demanded a wider investigation into the alleged extortion claims.

The investigation is ongoing, and police say further action will depend on the evidence collected during the probe.

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