Daijiworld Media Network- Darbhanga
Darbhanga, Aug 6: In a shocking incident that has stirred statewide outrage, a 25-year-old nursing student was allegedly shot dead by his father-in-law at Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) over an intercaste marriage that had drawn strong disapproval from the bride’s family.
The deceased, Rahul Kumar, a second-year BSc Nursing student, was gunned down in full public view inside the hospital premises by Premshankar Jha, father of his wife, Tannu Priya, who is also a first-year nursing student at the same institution.
According to eyewitnesses, the attacker approached Rahul wearing a hoodie and fired at point-blank range. An emotionally distraught Tannu recounted the harrowing incident, saying, “I saw my father shoot my husband in the chest. He collapsed in my lap… We had already told the court that my father and brothers could harm us.”
Rahul and Tannu had tied the knot four months ago and were residing on separate floors of the hospital hostel. Despite the legal protection they had sought, tragedy struck in broad daylight, exposing the deep-rooted caste biases still prevalent in society.
Soon after the incident, enraged students and bystanders assaulted the accused, leading to his hospitalisation. He has since been referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.
Scenes of chaos unfolded at the hospital, with police personnel struggling to control the agitated crowd demanding swift justice. Videos from the spot showed police attempting to clear the premises amid mounting tension.
Top officials, including Darbhanga District Magistrate Kaushal Kumar and Senior Superintendent of Police Jagannath Reddy, rushed to the spot to assess the situation. SSP Reddy confirmed the sequence of events and assured that a formal case would be registered. “The accused will face the full force of the law,” he said.
The murder has once again brought the spotlight on honour-based violence and caste-driven hostilities, raising pressing questions about social justice, youth safety, and the state’s readiness to prevent such atrocities.