YOUTH BRUTALLY KILLED MERELY FOR OPPOSING SEX RACKET IN PATNA

YOUTH BRUTALLY KILLED MERELY FOR OPPOSING SEX RACKET IN PATNA

13-JULY-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA-----------------------Serious questions regarding law and order and public safety have once again arisen in the capital, Patna. The city has been shaken by the brutal murder of 25-year-old fast-food vendor Bunty Kumar, who was abducted five days ago from the 'Doodh Mandi' (Milk Market) near Patna Junction. Bunty’s only "offense" was opposing the sex racket and anti-social activities flourishing in his area—a stand that cost him his life.

The incident began last Monday night when Bunty went to the Milk Market to buy curd for his shop. CCTV footage clearly shows seven to eight criminals forcibly dragging him away in broad daylight. Shockingly, despite the location being one of Patna's busiest areas, the crowd and passersby remained mere spectators. Bunty pleaded for help, yet no one bothered to intervene or save him. The criminals abducted him with ease, and the police remained completely unaware of the incident.

The anguish of Bunty’s family is unbearable. His mother, Kiran Devi, alleges that had the police acted promptly on the day of the abduction, her son would still be alive today. Family members state that they made repeated rounds of the Kotwali and Jakkanpur police stations but received nothing but empty assurances. Even when the police detained three suspects, they failed to conduct a rigorous interrogation in time, resulting in the tragic death of a promising young man.

Opposition to a social evil is cited as the primary reason behind Bunty’s murder. According to his family, a sex racket was operating in the hotels of Karbigahiya under the patronage of influential individuals. Bunty was an outspoken critic of this illicit activity, and the prime accused, Ravish Kumar, had threatened to kill him because of it. Ultimately, it was Bunty's courage and sense of social responsibility that led him into the jaws of death. Late Saturday evening, Bunty's body was recovered from a waterlogged field near the Bakhtiyarpur-Mokama four-lane highway within the Athmalgola police station area. The body had been buried in the soil and was so badly disfigured that identification was difficult. Eventually, his family identified him by his clothes and an iron rod in his leg. Police believe Bunty was brutally beaten before his murder, as deep wounds were found on his body.

This incident not only devastates a family but also casts a serious shadow over the security arrangements in Patna. The abduction of a young man from Patna Junction—a location under 24-hour security surveillance—highlights a failure on the part of the police. When anti-social elements become so brazen even in sensitive areas, ordinary citizens are inevitably left feeling unsafe.

Bunty is survived by his wife, an eight-year-old son, and a five-year-old daughter. His untimely death has deprived these innocent children of their father's protection. Every member of Bunty's family is demanding justice. They insist that not only should the prime accused face the death penalty, but action must also be taken against the officials and influential figures who shielded the criminals and displayed gross negligence in this matter.

Society needs to reflect on whether we are living in an era where speaking the truth and opposing wrongdoing carries the ultimate price—one's life. Bunty's murder is not merely a legal case; it is a dark chapter revealing the callousness of our system. It remains to be seen how swiftly the police can ensure severe punishment for the guilty, thereby delivering some measure of justice to Bunty's family.

•           Timeline of events:

•           Late at night on July 6 (Monday), Bunty was abducted from the 'Doodh Market' (Milk Market) at Patna Junction.

•           On July 7 (Tuesday), his family lodged an FIR regarding the abduction at the Kotwali police station. Alleging a delay in police action, the family created an uproar. •           July 7 (Tuesday): The Kotwali police arrested three accused individuals involved in the kidnapping incident.

•           July 8 (Wednesday): Protests involving road blockades and arson took place in New Karbigahiya, demanding the recovery of Bunty.

•           July 8 (Wednesday): The police utilized a dog squad and an FSL team to investigate the crime scene; over a hundred CCTV cameras were examined.

•           July 8 (Wednesday): The three accused arrested in the kidnapping case were sent to jail under judicial custody.

•           July 10 (Friday): People held a candlelight march demanding the safe recovery of Bunty.

•           July 11 (Saturday): Bunty's body was recovered from the Athmalgola police station area; the family members identified the body..