A day after Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan visited Bihar National College to take stock in the aftermath of a deadly campus bombing, Patna police on Sunday announced the arrest of two key suspects accused of hurling the bombs.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (Town 1) Diksha said the accused, identified as Deepak Kumar and Shubhankar Kumar alias Saurav, were apprehended from their respective hometowns in Gaya and Arwal districts.
“During questioning, both of them admitted their involvement in the incident. They also named others and raids are ongoing to apprehend additional suspects,” the officer said.
As per the ASP, around 12.45 pm on May 13, police received information about a fight between student groups at BN College, and responded immediately, detaining two individuals. Shortly after, the principal reported a bombing incident in which a second-year History student, Sujeet Kumar Pandey from Rohtas, was critically injured while exiting the exam hall following an internal examination. He was rushed to Patna Medical College Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries two days later, ASP Diksha said.
“When asked about the motive, they (the accused) said that after the detention by police in the earlier altercation, they believed their associates had been taken away by a rival group, which led them to retaliate by gathering a crowd and throwing two bombs towards the college,” the ASP said.
An FIR was registered after receiving an application from principal Rajkishore Prasad at Pirbahore police station.
The officer said further action is ongoing, and that raids to apprehend the remaining accused were ongoing.