Bid to burn ex-babu's kin after driver found hanging

PATNA: An irate mob on Friday tried to burn the family members of a retired IAS official after their driver was found hanging from a tree on their residential premises near R P S Mor in the city.
Four police personnel, including Danapur ASP Rajesh Kumar and Danapur police station SHO Ranjeet Kumar Singh, and a local received injuries as the house and policemen were pelted with stones.Police had to resort to lathicharge and open six rounds of fire in the air to disperse the mob.
The deceased was identified as Roshan Kumar of Naya Tola, a locality nearby. The 20-year-old was found hanging around 2pm.
Soon after the news spread, people assembled outside the premises. Some of them entered the house through an airconditioner duct in the backyard and ransacked the first floor, damaging the wooden work and furniture. While attacking the four vehicles parked on the compound, they also tried to torch the building with the help of an inflammable liquid and tyres.
The family consisting of late bureaucrat R S Singh’s son Keshar Singh (45), Keshar’s wife and their son locked themselves on the upper floor for at least three hours to save their lives.
Roshan’s father Naresh Yadav said his son earlier worked at a petrol pump in Danapur. “He took up the job of the Singhs’ driver three months ago. He was hanged after being killed by his employers,” alleged Naresh, who works at a petrol pump in Patna Saheb.
Roshan’s mother Usha Devi said her son would leave home at 5am and return at 7pm. “He was often scolded by his employers,” she said.
Roshan’s slippers were found below the tree. A piece of rope meant for tying cattleheads was used as the noose. His earphone, connected to his cellphone, was hanging around the neck. Forensic experts did not find any visible injury mark on the body.
City SP (west) Ravindra Kumar, Phulwari SDPO Rakesh Kumar, Sachivalaya DSP Ashok Kumar were camping at the site. City SP (central) Chandan Kumar Kushwaha, who is officiating as Patna SSP in the absence of Manu Maharaaj who is on leave, said investigations were on to ascertain if it was a case of murder or suicide.
Keshar, who works as a property dealer, and his wife are being quizzed, Kushwaha said.