Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, visited Gaighat in Muzaffarpur to meet the family of Jagatveer Rai, who died during a police raid. He criticized the Nitish Kumar government and local administration without naming anyone directly. Tejashwi demanded immediate arrest and strict action against the officer involved, alleging a cover-up by a prominent Janata Dal (United) leader.
The incident occurred on March 18 in Chornia village during a police operation related to the POCSO Act. A clash ensued between villagers and police, resulting in injuries to police personnel and damage to government vehicles. Amid the chaos, 60-year-old Jagatveer Rai lost his life, leading to tension in the region.
Tejashwi Yadav emphasized the need for fair and swift justice, expressing serious doubts about the police’s role in the incident. He warned of a statewide agitation by the Rashtriya Janata Dal if the accused officer is not promptly arrested and justice is delayed. The victim’s family has accused the then Station House Officer of intentionally shooting Jagatveer Rai, while the police claim the firing was in self-defense during a life-threatening situation.
A Forensic Science Laboratory team has been called in for evidence collection, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under a magistrate’s supervision for an impartial probe. Despite the tense yet controlled situation in Chornia village, political activities remain high. The investigation report will be crucial to determine whether the evidence supports the police’s self-defense claim or Tejashwi Yadav’s allegations of murder.
The victim’s family and villagers await action from the local administration, hoping for justice to prevail.
