Painter killed by shop owner in Darbhanga

Patna: A 48-year-old painter was allegedly murdered inside the godown of a paint shop in Beladullah locality under Vishwavidyalaya police station limits in Darbhanga on Wednesday. Police have arrested the shop owner, who reportedly confessed to the crime, citing a personal grudge.According to police, the victim, identified as Bablu Yadav of Ranipur, had worked for several years as a painter and employee at Mahadev Enterprises, owned by 31-year-old Chandan Kumar. Bablu later left the job and started his own paint shop near Ranipur Durga Mandir, which allegedly led to tension between the two.Police said Chandan held a grudge against Bablu and had been calling him to his shop on the pretext of giving a gift. When Bablu visited the shop, Chandan allegedly strangled him using a gamchha and hid the body in the adjacent godown.Family members said Bablu had left home on Tuesday carrying wedding invitation cards for his son’s marriage scheduled on May 1, but did not return. His bicycle, along with the cards, was later found parked outside Mahadev Enterprises, prompting a search.City SP Ashok Chaudhary said police initially detained Chandan’s father as the accused was absconding. After being contacted, Chandan returned and confessed during questioning. The body was recovered from the godown and sent to Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem.Tension flared after the recovery, with locals pelting stones at the accused’s house and shop. Multiple police teams were deployed to control the situation. A forensic team has collected evidence, and further investigation is underway.