A sensational shooting in Madhepura on Monday evening resulted in the death of Vicky Mehta, the brother-in-law of the Nardah panchayat head and her representative. The incident took place near Naya Tola Chowk under Puraini police station limits.
According to the latest police information, Vicky Mehta had criminal cases registered against him and had also been included in the district's list of most-wanted criminals. Police said 16 cases were registered against him at different police stations. He was also placed under the Criminal Law Amendment (CCA) from July 2025 to January 24, 2026.
The incident occurred as Vicky Mehta was returning home to Yogiraj on a motorcycle after inspecting an ongoing construction project on Monday evening. According to available reports, attackers first hit his motorcycle, causing him to fall, and then opened fire.
Vicky reportedly tried to escape to save his life, but the attackers, who were allegedly lying in wait some distance ahead, surrounded him again and fired several rounds. He was seriously injured and collapsed on the road.
Police and local reports have provided different accounts regarding the number of attackers and the number of rounds fired. A Hindustan report said six attackers riding three motorcycles carried out the assault, while other local reports mentioned that one attacker initially opened fire before motorcycle-borne assailants surrounded Vicky and continued shooting. Reports also differ on the number of rounds fired. Therefore, the claim that more than 20 rounds were fired cannot be treated as a final police confirmation at this stage.
Vicky Mehta had been visiting the Naya Tola Middle School ground for the past few days to inspect the construction of a boundary wall. He had gone to inspect the work again on Monday evening before returning home by motorcycle.
One report said he ran some distance after being shot in an attempt to save himself, after which the attackers surrounded him again. He suffered serious gunshot injuries and fell on the road.
After hearing the sound of gunfire, people from the surrounding area reached the scene. His family was informed, and Vicky was immediately taken to Puraini Hospital.
After receiving primary treatment, he was referred to Madhepura Medical College Hospital because of the seriousness of his condition. However, he died before reaching the medical college.
According to Medical College Deputy Superintendent Dr Priyanjan Bhaskar, Vicky was brought to the hospital dead. Five to six bullet injury marks were found on his body. His body was sent for post-mortem examination.
Puraini police reached the scene after receiving information about the incident. Udakishunganj SDPO Pawan Kumar and other police officials inspected the site. Several police teams were subsequently deployed to investigate the case.
Police are examining CCTV footage from cameras installed in the surrounding area to identify the attackers. Raids have also been launched at possible hideouts of the criminals following the incident.
One of the main questions before police is the motive behind the killing. The preliminary investigation is examining the possibility of an old enmity and an interpersonal dispute. However, police have not yet made a final confirmation regarding the reason for the murder.
Police are also investigating whether the attack had been planned in advance, based on the reported sequence in which Vicky was first knocked down and then allegedly surrounded and shot again while trying to escape. The matter is still under investigation, and the answer is expected to become clearer after the attackers are identified and questioned.
Vicky Mehta was also reported to have influence in the panchayat area. According to a Hindustan report, he had assisted his sister-in-law Rita Devi in becoming the head of Nardah Gram Panchayat and was active in panchayat-related work as the panchayat head's representative.
The report also mentioned that his father, Chandeshwari Mehta, had won the PACS election.
Given the panchayat politics and Vicky's previous criminal record, police are investigating the killing from several angles. However, a person's name can be considered that of an accused only when sufficient evidence emerges against them during the police investigation. Various discussions are taking place locally, but they cannot be treated as facts before the official investigation is completed.
The title provided for the report also links Vicky Mehta's name to the murder of an RJD leader. The latest available reports confirm that he had 16 criminal cases and had faced action under the CCA, but the specific claim concerning the murder of an RJD leader could not be independently confirmed from these sources.
Therefore, the claim should not be presented as an established fact without a police record or official statement.
According to police, 16 cases had been registered against Vicky Mehta at different police stations in the district. This information was reported citing Madhepura SP Sandeep Singh.
Police also said that CCA had been imposed on him for around six months. This indicates that he had previously been considered by police records to be associated with criminal activities. However, the registration of cases against a person does not by itself establish that the person had been convicted in each case.
After the murder, police presence was increased from Naya Tola Chowk to Vicky's home. A crowd gathered in the area following the incident, and fear prevailed locally.
Local residents raised concerns about how such a shooting took place in a public area and how the attackers managed to flee after the incident. Police are now tasked with identifying and arresting the criminals.
Evidence collected from the crime scene could play an important role in the investigation. Police are examining the locations where the shooting reportedly took place.
If cartridge cases or other important material are recovered from the scene, forensic examination could help provide information about the weapon and the manner in which the incident was carried out.
CCTV footage could also help determine the motorcycles involved, the number of attackers, their direction of arrival and the route they took while fleeing.
The manner in which the killing was carried out is also an important part of the investigation. According to the available report, Vicky was first knocked down by a motorcycle before being shot. When he tried to escape, he was allegedly surrounded again some distance away.
If this sequence is established by the police investigation, it could help determine whether the attackers had information about Vicky's movements and had made preparations at more than one location to stop him. However, this remains a matter of investigation and cannot be treated as a final conclusion.
Shortly before the incident, Vicky had gone to inspect the construction of the boundary wall. Police can also investigate who knew that he would be visiting the site.
Technical information such as his mobile phone call details, contacts and location at the time of the incident could also be relevant to the investigation. If police examine these aspects, they could help connect his activities before and after the killing.
Family members and local residents have expressed anger over the incident. The family has alleged that political or panchayat-level rivalry could be behind the killing.
However, the role of people being accused locally can only be established after the police investigation. Police have not officially announced the arrest of any accused person in the murder case.
The incident in Madhepura has brought attention to the tensions surrounding panchayat politics, criminal backgrounds and local rivalry. However, the actual motive for a murder can only be established on the basis of investigation and evidence.
For now, police are focusing on identifying and arresting the attackers. Police teams have been deployed on the directions of the SP. The investigation is being advanced through CCTV footage, evidence collected from the crime scene and questioning of local residents.
Police are also trying to determine the route taken by the attackers to reach the site and the direction in which they fled after the incident.
Following Vicky Mehta's killing, questions have also been raised about security arrangements in the panchayat area. Local residents have said that fear could increase if the attackers are not arrested soon. Police, meanwhile, have said that the case is being taken seriously and that all possible leads are being pursued to identify the criminals.
The post-mortem report, CCTV footage, evidence recovered from the crime scene and progress in the police investigation will be important in the case. These findings will help establish who carried out the killing and the motive behind it.
At present, it is clear that the incident near Naya Tola Chowk in Puraini has created tension and fear in the area. Police have confirmed Vicky Mehta's criminal history as part of their investigation, while his killing has created tension and fear in the panchayat area.
