SHO’s pistol video sparks outrage after accused dies during escape bid

Patna: Tension gripped Morkahi police station in Khagaria after a video surfaced showing SHO Antima Kumari pointing her service pistol at villagers during a heated confrontation late Friday night following the death of an accused who allegedly drowned while fleeing police custody.

The incident triggered anger in the area with family members demanding a high-level probe into the death and the police action. Senior officials said strict action would be taken if any police personnel were found guilty of negligence.

Police said a team had gone to Sabalpur village on the night of May 29 to arrest Saurav Kumar, 28, and another accused in connection with a case registered at Morkahi police station.

According to police, after being taken into custody, Saurav escaped near a temple and jumped into the Malti Dhar pond in an attempt to evade arrest. He could not be traced during the night because of poor visibility. Villagers later informed police he had drowned, following which his body was recovered from the pond. Saurav, son of Shatrughan Paswan, was wanted in a case linked to a dispute between two groups in the area.

Saurav’s mother, Madhuri Devi, disputed the allegations against her son.

“He was at his maternal home as his grandfather had fractured his leg. Despite this, he was falsely accused,” she said.

She alleged she had approached the police station and the SP, requesting verification of her son’s mobile phone location, but no action was taken.

Following the death, angry villagers and family members reached Morkahi police station with the body and staged a protest. A video that later went viral showed a heated exchange between protesters and SHO Antima Kumari, during which she was seen drawing her service pistol. Villagers responded angrily, saying, “shoot if you want”.

In a press release, police said the accused died by drowning while attempting to flee custody. Senior administrative and police officers later reached the spot and pacified the protesters. The body was sent to Khagaria Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination after legal formalities were completed.

DSP Mukul Kumar Ranjan said action was being initiated against the police personnel involved and acknowledged the family’s allegation that four people were being targeted without evidence.

“We have assured them the application will be probed. No punitive action will be taken till the inquiry is complete. If any policeman’s negligence is found, action will be taken,” he said.