Anand ST Das By

Express News Service

PATNA: A Rashtriya Janata Dal leader who was close to the party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was shot dead by three unidentified men near his Danapur residence near Patna early today morning.

Kedar Rai, the sitting municipal councilor of Danapur’s Ward No. 15, was hit by three bullets at about 4:45 AM. The motorcycle-borne assassins fled immediately after the attack but were seen by some local people, including a six-year-old boy. A profusely bleeding Rai was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared brought dead.

So far, four men have been arrested in connection with the murder.

Police and Rai’s family said a property dispute was behind the murder.

Rai’s brother, Paras Rai said police took no action despite the family having informed them of the threats to Rai's life.

The RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who learned of the murder while in Ranchi in Jharkhand, said a “top-level conspiracy” was behind the murder and demanded a CBI probe.

“Rai was one of the important leaders of our party. There is a top-level conspiracy behind this murder,” said Yadav after appearing in a CBI court in connection with a fodder scam case.

“High-profile people are involved in this murder. When I return to Patna, I will see what property dispute it was, as is being claimed. Even political people are involved in this and their names will soon be revealed. I demand a CBI probe into this incident,” he added.

A six-year-old boy who saw the murder told police that three men came on a bike and one of them fired at Rai. Patna DSP (law and order) Shivli Noomani said twenty people have been named in the case and that efforts are under way to nab all them.

Rai had won municipal council election for the fourth consecutive time. His wife Shobha Devi is currently the councilor of ward No. 16.

“They (killers) had threatened him (Rai) of dire consequences three days ago. We had approached police and informed them about the dispute. But they refused to take action. Instead, Danapur DSP Rajesh Kumar Singh asked us to compromise with them,” said Paras Rai, the victim’s brother.