Patna Shooting Case — A Kolkata court has issued a strong directive to law enforcement authorities, explicitly instructing the Bihar Police to ensure that no torture or third-degree methods are used while transporting four accused in the sensational Patna hospital murder case. The court, while granting a 48-hour transit remand, also asked officers to submit personal identification and photos, signaling serious concern over custodial rights.
The four accused, apprehended from various parts of Kolkata last week, were allegedly involved in the cold-blooded shooting of gangster Chandan Mishra inside a hospital ICU in Patna. The attack, executed in broad daylight, sent shockwaves across Bihar, prompting an intensive interstate manhunt.
Arrests and Interrogation Oversight
The court’s warning came as part of an increasing trend of judicial monitoring of custodial behavior. In its ruling, the magistrate explicitly told the ten-member Bihar police team escorting the accused that any form of physical or psychological torture during transit would lead to immediate legal consequences.
Each officer was directed to provide verifiable identification and photographs to the court before they were allowed to take custody of the accused. This unusual step underscores the judiciary’s effort to hold law enforcement accountable during high-profile cases, particularly when accused are transferred across state lines.
Background of the Patna ICU Shooting
On July 17, Chandan Mishra — a known gang figure in Bihar — was fatally shot by armed assailants who stormed into the ICU of HMRI Hospital in Patna. Surveillance footage and preliminary investigations indicated the killers had precise knowledge of the hospital’s layout and Mishra’s location.
The shooters, it was later revealed, had been part of a coordinated plot allegedly masterminded from jail. The plan was reportedly hatched by gangster Sheru Singh, currently lodged in Purulia jail, who had prior rivalries with Mishra.
Following the attack, a joint task force of Bihar and Kolkata Police conducted overnight raids in south Kolkata, finally apprehending the suspects from a guest house in Anandapur and a flat in New Town.
Patna Shooting Case: Accused Under Custody
The accused remanded for transit include:
- Tauseef Raza (alias Badshah) – the alleged shooter and main accused.
- Nishu Khan – suspected planner and associate.
- Sachin Singh and Harish Kumar – aides allegedly involved in logistics and escape planning.
All four were presented in Kolkata court before their transfer. Medical checkups were conducted at SSKM Hospital to ensure they were in sound physical condition. They were then handed over to Bihar Police in presence of legal representatives.
Court’s Emphasis on Human Rights
The court’s intervention reflects broader legal concerns around police excesses during transit and interrogation. The Constitution of India, along with directives from the Supreme Court and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), lays down strict safeguards against custodial abuse.
Legal experts have welcomed the move as a sign of active judicial conscience. “This shows that the judiciary is not just granting remand mechanically but ensuring human rights are protected every step of the way,” said criminal lawyer Aparajita Ghosh.
Earlier, similar warnings have been issued in other states, but a proactive requirement for photo-verification of escorting officers is rare and indicative of the case’s sensitivity.
Inter-State Coordination in High-Stakes Crimes
This case also highlights growing inter-state collaboration in tackling organized crime. The operation, which led to the arrest of the accused in Kolkata, was the result of coordinated intelligence sharing between Patna and Kolkata Police.
Officials used call data records, digital forensics, and CCTV footage to track the movements of the suspects across multiple locations. The accused were reportedly using new SIM cards and traveling in hired vehicles to avoid detection.
Sources suggest the assailants had rented safehouses in South Kolkata under fake identities, and their presence was traced using surveillance footage from petrol pumps and mobile towers.
The Road Ahead
With the accused now in Bihar Police custody, the investigation is expected to widen. Police sources say they are pursuing leads that may link this shooting to a larger gang war involving real estate extortion, jailhouse conspiracies, and cross-border arms smuggling.
Meanwhile, the Calcutta court’s order sets a precedent for legal vigilance during prisoner transfer, especially in cases attracting public and media attention. Human rights lawyers believe this could become a model for judicial best practices.
Official External References
For more information on procedural safeguards, legal rights, and judicial oversight in custodial cases, refer to:
- National Human Rights Commission of India
- Ministry of Home Affairs – Custodial Guidelines
- Law Commission of India Reports on Custodial Crimes
- Supreme Court of India – D.K. Basu vs. State of West Bengal Judgment
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