In a shocking incident from Bihar’s Sitamarhi district, a father-in-law allegedly hired contract killers to eliminate his son-in-law after becoming frustrated with his reckless lifestyle. Police investigations revealed that the murder was not spontaneous but a planned contract killing, involving an advance payment and hired assailants. The case, which involved two murders, has now been cracked by Sitamarhi police, who arrested the accused conspirator and the hired killers.

The Discovery of Two Bodies in Sitamarhi

On the morning of August 17, 2025, panic spread in Koili village under Bathnaha police station when locals found a body abandoned in a field. Police rushed to the location after receiving information and discovered the body of a young man identified as Dilip Kumar.

Further search led to another horrifying discovery nearby. Another body was found, identified as Rajesh Paswan. Both had been brutally attacked with sharp weapons. The double murder created tension in the area, forcing the police to launch a high-level investigation immediately.

Special Investigation Team Formed

Following the murders, Sitamarhi Superintendent of Police Amit Ranjan held a press briefing. He explained that a case was registered, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under the leadership of Sadar SDPO-II Ashish Anand.

The team included officers from Bathnaha police station and the District Intelligence Unit. Investigators relied on technical surveillance and CCTV footage analysis to trace the suspects. Within days, the police identified two men, Bhola Ram and Bikau Ram, as the prime suspects. Both were residents of Harikesh village under Sahiyara police station.

Contract Killing Ordered by Father-in-law

During interrogation, Bhola Ram and Bikau Ram confessed to the crime. They revealed that Dilip’s father-in-law, Aklu Mahato of Bathnaha village, had given them the contract to kill his son-in-law.

The investigation showed that Aklu was enraged by his son-in-law’s excessive lifestyle. He approached Bhola Ram and Bikau Ram, both known to him, and proposed the killing. Bhola initially demanded ₹1.5 lakh for the murder, but after negotiations, the deal was settled for ₹1 lakh.

Aklu paid an advance of ₹10,000 and later added ₹2,000. However, when Bhola repeatedly asked for more money without carrying out the killing, Aklu refused further payment. Frustrated, Bhola decided to execute the murder on August 16, 2025.

The Night of the Murder

According to police, Bhola visited Dilip’s house on August 16. He persuaded him to accompany them on his motorcycle. Dilip sat in the middle while Bikau sat at the back. CCTV footage confirmed the trio traveling together on the motorcycle.

They reached Koili village fields, a place where they often gathered for drinking sessions. On that night, they began consuming alcohol. During the gathering, another man, Rajesh Paswan, who was involved in liquor trade, joined them. He had come to collect liquor from Dilip but was invited to drink with them.

As the drinking continued, Bhola pretended to step aside to relieve himself. Taking advantage of the moment, he attacked Dilip from behind with a sharp axe, striking his head. Witnessing the brutal attack, Rajesh tried to flee in panic. However, Bikau chased him down and killed him with the same weapon on Bhola’s instructions.

The killers then abandoned both bodies in the field before leaving the scene.

Recovery of Murder Weapons and Evidence

Police arrested Bhola Ram and Bikau Ram soon after identifying them through surveillance. During their interrogation, they led police to the recovery of crucial evidence.

The recovered items included the murder weapon, an axe, as well as the motorcycle used in the crime. Police also seized the bloodstained clothes worn during the killing. These items confirmed the sequence of events narrated by the killers.

The Motive: Frustration with Son-in-law’s Lifestyle

When questioned, Aklu Mahato revealed the reasons behind his extreme step. He said that his son-in-law Dilip Kumar had been addicted to a life of extravagance for several years.

According to Aklu, Dilip had sold ancestral property over the past three to four years to fund his indulgence. In December 2024, he sold valuable land at a very low price, using the money for personal pleasures rather than family welfare.

Dilip’s wife, Aklu’s daughter, complained that her husband was neglecting the family and refusing to provide money for household needs. Instead, he spent large sums on drinking, women, and lavish habits.

In recent months, Dilip also entered the illegal liquor trade. He began smuggling alcohol from Nepal and selling it in the area. This added to his reckless activities and further angered his in-laws.

When Aklu tried to confront him and advise him to stop, Dilip reportedly assaulted and abused his father-in-law. This humiliation pushed Aklu to the breaking point, leading him to plan the murder.

Police Crack Double Murder Case

The Sitamarhi police’s swift action has been praised. Within days of the murders, investigators not only identified the killers but also uncovered the conspiracy. The arrests of Bhola Ram, Bikau Ram, and Aklu Mahato brought relief to the villagers.

Superintendent of Police Amit Ranjan confirmed that all three have been charged under sections of murder and criminal conspiracy. The recovered weapons and clothing will be presented as evidence in court.

He emphasized that the case highlighted the dangers of contract killings in rural areas, where disputes within families or communities often lead to extreme outcomes.

Community Shock and Reactions

The murders shocked the people of Koili village and surrounding areas. Residents expressed horror that a father-in-law could go to such an extent to kill his son-in-law. The double murder also raised concerns about the rising influence of alcohol trade and crime in the region.

Community leaders condemned both Dilip’s lifestyle and Aklu’s decision to take the law into his own hands. They urged families to resolve disputes through legal and social means rather than resorting to violence.

The Larger Problem of Illegal Liquor in Bihar

This case also exposed the role of liquor smuggling in fueling conflicts in Bihar. Despite the state’s strict prohibition laws, illegal liquor continues to flow from neighboring Nepal.

Police reports suggested that Dilip was deeply involved in this trade. His dealings brought him into contact with people like Rajesh Paswan, who was killed alongside him. The liquor trade has been blamed for rising crime in Sitamarhi and other districts along the border.

The murder case has renewed calls for stronger enforcement against liquor mafias and smugglers who exploit the prohibition policy for profit.

The Sitamarhi double murder case is a tragic tale of family conflict, crime, and desperation. A father-in-law, angered by his son-in-law’s reckless lifestyle, chose the path of violence by arranging a contract killing.

The result was not only the death of Dilip Kumar but also the unnecessary killing of Rajesh Paswan, who became a victim simply for being present at the scene.

Police action has ensured that the culprits are behind bars, but the case serves as a grim reminder of how unchecked lifestyles, property disputes, and illegal trades can spiral into deadly violence.

As the trial moves forward, Sitamarhi continues to grapple with the shock of this brutal incident. The tragedy highlights the urgent need for social awareness, legal action against illegal liquor trade, and stronger community bonds to prevent such crimes in the future.