A tragic incident in Bihar's Madhepura district has resulted in the death of a young woman following a violent escalation of a long-standing neighbourhood dispute. The victim, identified as 21-year-old Gunjana Kumari, was shot dead on Sunday in the Kaushalya Nagar area. The conflict reportedly originated from an argument over the use of a small stretch of road.
Roots of the Conflict: A 100-Metre Road
According to police officials, the core of the dispute dates back approximately five years. Madhepura ASP Pravendra Bharti stated that the conflict began over a 100-metre stretch of road. The victim's husband, Aditya Raj, had permitted a neighbour to use this portion of the road nearly half a decade ago. This arrangement, however, became a persistent source of tension with another local resident.
The Accused and Alleged Harassment
Aditya Raj, the grieving husband, has named Balkaran Yadav as the accused in this horrific case. Raj has alleged that Yadav, whom he described as a drug addict, frequently abused and harassed his family whenever he passed through the contested road. This pattern of alleged misbehaviour created a hostile environment, setting the stage for a fatal confrontation.
The Fatal Escalation
The situation reached a breaking point on Sunday. What began as another heated argument between the parties quickly spiralled out of control. Police reports indicate that Balkaran Yadav's repeated provocations escalated into a severe altercation on the day of the incident. The argument intensified, prompting the involvement of other family members from both sides. In the ensuing chaos, the dispute turned violently physical, culminating in Gunjana Kumari being shot. She succumbed to her injuries, marking a devastating end to the prolonged feud.
Local authorities have launched a full investigation into the shooting. The case highlights the dangerous potential for minor property and access disputes to turn deadly, especially when compounded by allegations of substance abuse and persistent harassment. The community in Kaushalya Nagar is now reeling from this act of violence, which has claimed the life of a young woman over a 100-metre pathway.
