Ranchi Bandh Today Live Updates: BJP's Pratul Shahdeo detained by police during protest

Anil Mahto was shot while sitting at a roadside shop, making arrangements for Mahaveer Jayanti. Locals suspect his involvement in ...

The Times of India | Mar 27, 2025, 12:22:31 IST

BJP leader Anil Mahto ‘Tiger,’ general secretary of the party’s Ranchi rural unit, was shot dead in broad daylight near a police station, triggering political turmoil in Jharkhand. The 50-year-old leader, who was also a former zila parishad member, was gunned down by bike-borne assailants at a busy roundabout while he was making arrangements for Mahaveer Jayanti. The killing, which comes less than a month after an attempt on coal trader Bipin Mishra’s life, has raised serious concerns over the state’s law and order situation. The BJP and AJSU called for a Ranchi bandh, accusing the state government of failing to control crime, as protests erupted across the city with demonstrators blocking major roads.

While police have not confirmed a motive, locals claim Mahto was involved in land dealings, which may have played a role in his murder. One of the assailants, Rohit Verma, was arrested after a brief chase that led to a police encounter in which he was shot in the leg, while the second suspect remains at large. A special investigation team has been formed to probe the case. Political leaders, including former Union minister Arjun Munda and former CM Babulal Marandi, visited Mahto’s family and criticized the state government for its failure to ensure safety. Marandi stated that even public representatives are not safe in Jharkhand and demanded CM Hemant Soren’s resignation on moral grounds.

Ranchi Bandh Today Live Updates: BJP's Pratul Shahdeo detained by police during protest

BJP leader Champai Soren says, " Criminals are ruling (the state). The law and order have been finished, and 'Jungle Raaj' is going on. There is no law and order here..."

Former CM Babulal Marandi stated that even public representatives are not safe in Jharkhand and demanded that Chief Minister Hemant Soren resign on moral grounds. The Ranchi Congress unit also expressed sorrow over Mahto’s death.

IG Akhilesh Jha confirmed that one of the accused, Rohit Verma, was arrested after an encounter, during which he was shot in the leg. He has been admitted to a private hospital. Police have identified the second attacker and are conducting raids to arrest him.

Mahto was at a roadside shop near a busy roundabout, making arrangements for Mahaveer Jayanti when two bike-borne assailants shot him in the head and fled. He was rushed to RIMS, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

While the police have not officially confirmed the motive, locals claim Mahto was involved in land dealings, which might have led to the attack. He was also recently elected president of Kanke Mahaveer Mandal.

The BJP and AJSU parties called for a Ranchi bandh on Thursday, accusing the state government of failing to maintain law and order. Protesters burned tyres and blocked key roads, including Kanke Chowk, RIMS Chowk, and Booty More.

Anil Mahto ‘Tiger,’ the general secretary of the BJP's Ranchi rural unit, was gunned down in broad daylight near a police station. The attack took place less than a month after an assassination attempt on coal trader Bipin Mishra on March 8.

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Ranchi Bandh Today Live Updates: BJP's Pratul Shahdeo detained by police during protest

BJP leader Champai Soren says, " Criminals are ruling (the state). The law and order have been finished, and 'Jungle Raaj' is going on. There is no law and order here..."

Former CM Babulal Marandi stated that even public representatives are not safe in Jharkhand and demanded that Chief Minister Hemant Soren resign on moral grounds. The Ranchi Congress unit also expressed sorrow over Mahto’s death.

IG Akhilesh Jha confirmed that one of the accused, Rohit Verma, was arrested after an encounter, during which he was shot in the leg. He has been admitted to a private hospital. Police have identified the second attacker and are conducting raids to arrest him.

Mahto was at a roadside shop near a busy roundabout, making arrangements for Mahaveer Jayanti when two bike-borne assailants shot him in the head and fled. He was rushed to RIMS, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

While the police have not officially confirmed the motive, locals claim Mahto was involved in land dealings, which might have led to the attack. He was also recently elected president of Kanke Mahaveer Mandal.

The BJP and AJSU parties called for a Ranchi bandh on Thursday, accusing the state government of failing to maintain law and order. Protesters burned tyres and blocked key roads, including Kanke Chowk, RIMS Chowk, and Booty More.

Anil Mahto ‘Tiger,’ the general secretary of the BJP's Ranchi rural unit, was gunned down in broad daylight near a police station. The attack took place less than a month after an assassination attempt on coal trader Bipin Mishra on March 8.

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