Pioneer News Service
Lohardaga
Lohardaga Police have arrested two men within 48 hours for the murder of a young businessman in Lohardaga, bringing to light a series of violent incidents allegedly triggered by a dispute over a Rs 500 discount at a jewellery shop and an old personal rivalry. The accused were apprehended during an early morning raid conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from an abandoned house in Oyna village. Police recovered a country-made firearm believed to have been used in the crime, a live .315-bore cartridge and a Redmi Note 11 mobile phone allegedly linked to the case. According to the police, the sequence of events began on the evening of July 30 when the prime accused, Lal Roshan Nath Shahdev, allegedly visited Khatri Jewellers, where he had earlier argued with the owner over a Rs 500 discount on jewellery. Investigators said he returned to the shop posing as a customer and allegedly brandished a firearm after another altercation. The jeweller reportedly resisted and forced him out before any robbery could take place. Police said the accused then procured a country-made pistol that had been concealed near Badki Champi and, along with his associate Hasmath Raja, attempted to rob a petrol pump at Patratoli. The attempt was abandoned after employees raised an alarm. The duo then allegedly entered Priya Store at Nidhi Complex, where shop owner Shubham Kumar was shot in the chest. He later succumbed to his injuries.
During interrogation, the prime accused allegedly told investigators that he believed the victim had links with former PLFI commander Sandeep Bhagat and suspected him of acting as a police informer. Investigators are treating this alleged belief as the primary motive behind the killing, while continuing to verify all aspects of the claim.
Police identified the arrested men as Lal Roshan Nath Shahdev, a resident of Kurse in Lohardaga district, and Hasmath Raja, a resident of Patagai village in Gumla district. Officials said Shahdev has a criminal record, with several cases, including extortion, attempt to murder and Arms Act offences, registered against him in Ranchi and Lohardaga districts. Given the seriousness of the incidents, Lohardaga Superintendent of Police personally supervised the investigation, while a 10-member SIT led by SDPO Shraddha Kerketta carried out technical surveillance and intelligence-based operations. The breakthrough came during a raid conducted at around 7 a.m. on August 1.
Police said further investigation is underway to determine whether the accused were involved in other criminal activities and whether additional arrests may follow.
