Ashish Kumar Bhagat Shot Dead Over Dance Dispute During Sai Rath Yatra
Key Points:
- 22-year-old Ashish Kumar Bhagat dies in Kolkata after July 11 shooting
- All five accused arrested before planned escape to Bihar
- Dispute arose over dancing during Sai Rath Yatra celebrations
JAMSHEDPUR – Police arrested five individuals connected to a fatal shooting incident that claimed the life of 22-year-old Ashish Kumar Bhagat following a dispute during religious festivities.
The shooting occurred on July 11 around 10:30 PM near Sai Temple. The location was on LBSM Road in Bagbera police station area. However, Ashish succumbed to his injuries during treatment in Kolkata.
Officers apprehended Rahul Yadav alias Chotu, aged 21 years. Meanwhile, Ranjan Kumar Singh, 37, was also arrested. In addition, Vijay Shankar Singh alias Babu Taper, 26, joined the list. Moreover, Suraj Kumar Das alias Budha, 22, and Shubham Kumar alias Kallu, 19, completed the group.
All accused residents belong to Kitadih Gwalapatti area near Sai Temple. The arrests followed intelligence about their escape plans. Furthermore, police received tips about potential criminal activities.
The conflict originated during Sai Rath Yatra on July 9. Disagreement arose over dancing during the religious procession. However, the dispute escalated to deadly violence two days later.
“The shooting was revenge for the dance controversy,” stated the SSP. Officers had received secret information about the group’s intentions. Besides, they were planning to flee to Bihar after committing crimes.
Police conducted raids near Nagadih Football Ground based on intelligence. The accused were planning another major incident there. Moreover, they intended to escape across state borders immediately afterward.
During the operation, officers recovered significant evidence. A country-made pistol was seized from the group. In addition, two live 8mm cartridges were confiscated.
The raid team included Station Officer Gopal Krishna Yadav. Xavier Horo participated in the operation alongside colleagues. Furthermore, Santosh Kumar, Sunil Kumar Yadav, and Baijnath Yadav joined the mission.
Police registered case number 71/2025 at Bagbera station. Several accused have previous criminal records according to authorities. However, investigations continue to uncover additional details.
The incident highlights tensions during religious celebrations in the area. Community disputes sometimes escalate beyond peaceful resolution. Moreover, this case demonstrates the serious consequences of unresolved conflicts.
