Key Facts
- RJD leader Rajkumar Rai, also known as Allah Rai, shot dead in Patna’s Munnachak area on September 10, 2025
- Attack occurred around 10 PM near Rajendra Nagar Terminal
- Rai was shot six times while buying food near his home
- Declared dead on arrival at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH)
- Police recovered six bullet cartridges from the scene
- CCTV footage shows assailants fleeing on motorcycles
Background and Motives
Rajkumar Rai was originally from Raghopur constituency in Vaishali district. Alongside politics, he was also engaged in land and property dealings. Police officials have suggested that a land dispute may have been the motive for the attack. Rai had recently left the RJD and was preparing to contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections as an independent candidate from Raghopur, which is currently represented by Tejashwi Yadav.
Official Statements
Patna East SP Parichay Kumar confirmed the details of the incident. He stated that the deceased was associated with a political party and also had land-related business. He added that two suspects were captured on CCTV cameras, and six spent bullets were recovered from the scene.
Political Reactions
RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmad described the incident as shocking and criticised the state government’s handling of law and order. Rai’s sister, Sheela Devi, called the killing a planned murder and demanded immediate arrests. She warned that protests, including road blockades, would follow if action was not taken.
Law and Political Context
The incident comes at a time when Bihar has reported a rise in violent crimes, including murders of businessmen, lawyers, and political figures. In July 2025 alone, 50 murders were reported within 14 days. The opposition has repeatedly linked these incidents to what it calls a decline in law and order, while the state government has recently upgraded security for senior leaders such as Tejashwi Yadav and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary. The killing of a politician preparing to contest from Raghopur has therefore gained additional attention in the run-up to the state assembly elections.
Conclusion
Rajkumar Rai’s murder highlights both the issue of rising violent crime and the heightened political tensions in Bihar. While police have pointed to a land dispute as the likely motive, the fact that he was preparing to contest the assembly elections raises questions about whether the killing could also influence the political climate. With elections only months away, the investigation and its outcome will be closely watched to see what it means for candidate security and the broader electoral process.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was Rajkumar Rai?
Rajkumar Rai, also known as Allah Rai, was a political leader from Raghopur constituency in Vaishali district. He had recently left the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and was preparing to contest the Bihar Assembly elections 2025 as an independent candidate.
2. Where and how was he killed?
He was shot dead in Patna’s Munnachak area near Rajendra Nagar Terminal on September 10, 2025, around 10 PM. He sustained six bullet injuries while buying food near his residence and was declared dead at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).
3. What is the suspected motive?
According to police, a land dispute is being considered the primary motive. However, with Bihar heading into assembly polls, investigators are examining all possible angles, including political rivalry.
4. What evidence has been recovered?
Police recovered six bullet cartridges from the spot. CCTV footage from Patna shows two bike-borne attackers fleeing after the incident.
5. Why is this incident significant politically?
The murder comes just months before the Bihar Assembly elections 2025. Rai’s plan to contest from Raghopur constituency, currently represented by Tejashwi Yadav, and the wider Patna crime surge 2025 have made the case politically sensitive. The incident is being closely watched as part of the debate on law and order in Bihar.
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