Patna/Kaimur: In a shocking incident that has raised serious questions about inter-personal disputes within the police force, a woman constable was allegedly shot at by a male colleague—also her relative—in the early hours of Sunday in Bihar’s Kaimur district. The accused, identified as Constable Ajay Paswan, is currently absconding, and a statewide manhunt has been launched to trace his whereabouts.
The victim, Sarita Kumari, 28, is also a constable posted in the Supaul district. The alleged shooter, Paswan, serves in the same district police force and is reportedly a relative of the victim, adding a personal dimension to what appears to be a deliberate act of violence.
According to a statement issued by the Bihar Police Headquarters in Patna, the shooting occurred around 4:30 am on Sunday in the Kudra locality of Kaimur district. At the time of the incident, Sarita Kumari was reportedly riding pillion on a motorcycle driven by her husband when Paswan approached and allegedly fired at her from close range. After the shooting, he immediately fled the scene.
Hearing the sound of gunfire, residents alerted the police. Law enforcement teams responded swiftly, reaching the site of the incident and rushing the injured constable to a nearby government hospital for emergency treatment. Given the severity of her injuries, she was later referred to a higher medical facility in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, for advanced care, officials said.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Mohania, Pradeep Kumar, who is overseeing the investigation, told PTI that a formal First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the accused based on the victim’s statement. “As per preliminary findings, it appears that the shooting may have stemmed from a monetary dispute. However, we are not ruling out other possibilities at this stage,” he said.
Kumar added that the police have formed multiple teams to locate and apprehend Paswan, who has been on the run since the incident. “Efforts are underway to trace his movements and locate his hideout. We are confident of making an arrest soon,” the SDPO said.
Sources within the police department have indicated that both Sarita Kumari and Ajay Paswan were on leave and had travelled to Kaimur for personal reasons. The fact that both individuals belong to the same family and are posted in the same police district has added complexity to the case, which is now being closely monitored by senior officials at the state level.
This incident has also triggered concerns about internal discipline and conflict resolution within the police force, with experts calling for psychological evaluation and counselling mechanisms to be implemented more systematically among personnel.
Senior officers at the Bihar Police Headquarters are expected to review the case thoroughly and assess if standard protocols were breached or ignored that might have prevented the escalation of the conflict.
As of now, Sarita Kumari remains under medical supervision in Varanasi, and her condition is said to be stable but serious. Investigations are ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the case unfolds.
