Driver murders Bihar EO Vimal Kumar, cites work pressure, disputes as motive

Aurangabad Police have arrested Vimal Kumar's driver as they investigate the killing of the Dehri-Dalmianagar executive officer. The murder has triggered an indefinite statewide strike by municipal executive officers over security demands.

In Short

• Motive cited as work pressure and frequent disputes between driver and EO
• Iron rod used as murder weapon, recovered from canal by divers
• Investigation ongoing with forensic evidence to identify any other involvement

The investigation into the murder of Bihar's Sasaram Municipal Council Executive Officer (EO) Vimal Kumar has taken a dramatic turn, with police claiming that his driver, Mithilesh Kumar, confessed to the killing during interrogation.

Investigators said the accused cited work pressure and repeated disputes with the officer as the motive, while the recovery of the alleged murder weapon has strengthened the case.

The high-profile murder has triggered outrage across Bihar, prompting municipal executive officers to launch an indefinite strike demanding enhanced security, a fast-track trial, compensation for the victim's family and security cover for civic officials.

Magadh Range Inspector General (IG) Vikas Vaibhav said the investigation gathered pace after police found major inconsistencies in the driver's version of the incident.

DRIVER'S VERSION RAISED SUSPICION

According to police, Mithilesh Kumar initially claimed that unidentified assailants intercepted their vehicle, assaulted the Executive Officer and fled, leaving Kumar critically injured. The officer was rushed to hospital but was declared dead.

However, investigators became suspicious after noticing that the driver, who was allegedly present throughout the attack, had not suffered any injuries or even minor scratches. Police questioned how armed attackers could have targeted only the EO while leaving the driver completely unharmed.

Further suspicion arose when the driver's statements changed during questioning. He first claimed that two Apache motorcycles carrying the attackers had intercepted the vehicle, but later altered his statement, saying only one motorcycle was involved.

IG Vikas Vaibhav said sustained interrogation eventually led Mithilesh Kumar to confess to the murder.

FREQUENT DISPUTES, WORK PRESSURE CITED AS MOTIVE

According to police, the driver told investigators that he had been under stress because of excessive workload and long duty hours. He also claimed that he frequently argued with Vimal Kumar over work-related issues.

Police said statements recorded from other employees of the municipal council also indicated that the two had a strained professional relationship and had disagreements on several occasions.

Investigators said the accused revealed that another argument broke out on the day of the incident while they were travelling from Sasaram to Patna late at night.

According to the confession, the driver requested the EO to stop the vehicle so he could relieve himself, but Kumar allegedly refused, leading to another heated argument.

IRON ROD ATTACK, BID TO MISLEAD POLICE

Police said Mithilesh Kumar confessed that he stopped the vehicle and attacked Vimal Kumar with an iron rod kept inside the car. Investigators said he first assaulted the EO while he was still inside the vehicle and then continued striking him multiple times after he stepped out of the car.

After the killing, the accused allegedly attempted to portray the incident as an attack by unidentified criminals. Police said he positioned the vehicle in a manner that would make the crime appear like a roadside attack and later informed another staff member that unknown assailants had assaulted the Executive Officer.

Investigators are examining bloodstains, forensic evidence and other material collected from the crime scene.

Police have also recovered the iron rod allegedly used in the murder after the accused disclosed that he had thrown it into a canal following the attack. The weapon was retrieved with the help of divers and has been seized for forensic examination.

MUNICIPAL OFFICERS ON INDEFINITE STRIKE

The killing has sparked protests among municipal officials across Bihar. The Bihar Municipal Services Association has launched an indefinite strike, demanding the arrest of all those involved, a fast-track trial, adequate compensation for the victim's family, a government job for one dependent, and enhanced security, including bodyguards and residential protection, for Executive Officers across the state.

IG Vikas Vaibhav said the investigation is continuing and police are examining all aspects of the case, including forensic findings, to establish the complete sequence of events and determine whether anyone else was involved in the murder.

- Ends