70-year-old vendor beaten to death in Bihar over Rs 5 dispute

Jehanabad: A 70-year-old Muslim vendor was beaten to death in front of his grandson in Bihar’s Kako village of Jehanabad district on Wednesday after a dispute over a toll payment of just five rupees.

The victim, Mohammed Mohsin, had gone to the local market with his minor grandson to sell vegetables and fruits. According to Kako police, a man identified as Vicky Patel demanded Rs 15 as toll money. Mohsin, who had only Rs 10, asked Patel to return later for the balance. Despite explaining that he regularly paid the full amount, Patel refused and insisted on immediate payment.

In a fit of rage, Patel allegedly picked up a dumbbell and struck Mohsin on the stomach and head, killing him instantly. The attack happened in full view of the grandson. Reports said the body remained in the marketplace for hours as bystanders continued with their routine.

Police have registered a case under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, though Patel remains absconding.

Meanwhile, photos of the accused with Bihar’s Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, as well as other BJP leaders, have surfaced on social media, fuelling controversy.

Reacting to the incident, Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi described it as evidence of “Jungle Raj of Bihar.” In a post on X, he wrote: “This is real Jungle Raj of Bihar. A vegetable vendor was murdered over five rupees. BJP’s allies are not able to govern Bihar.”