Police Negligence Exposed in Narkatiaganj Ahead of Vijay Sah Murder, Investigating Officer Suspended

Narkatiaganj witnessed a shocking lapse in policing after serious negligence came to light in an attempted murder case that preceded the killing of Vijay Kumar, also known as Vijay Sah. Following an internal review, the Superintendent of Police (SP), Bettiah, has suspended the investigating officer for dereliction of duty, holding him responsible for failing to act despite repeated warnings from the victim’s family.

Vijay Sah, a resident of Shivganj Ward No. 07 in Narkatiaganj, was brutally attacked with a knife on 29 November 2025. The assault was clearly life-threatening, and the victim sustained serious injuries. Despite the gravity of the incident, the investigation allegedly failed to progress with the urgency and seriousness required. The investigating officer in the case, Sub-Inspector Kanhaiya Singh, who was posted at Shikarpur police station, is accused of showing negligence and ignoring repeated alerts from the victim’s family regarding ongoing threats to Vijay Sah’s life.

According to family members, the accused persons involved in the knife attack continued to threaten Vijay Sah, pressuring him to withdraw the case. These threats were repeatedly communicated to the police. However, no effective preventive or protective measures were taken. The family alleges that had timely action been taken—such as arrests, intensified monitoring, or police protection—the subsequent tragedy could have been avoided.

Tragically, before Vijay Sah could fully recover from the knife attack, he was shot dead on 31 January 2026. The murder sent shockwaves across Narkatiaganj and intensified public outrage, particularly over the apparent failure of the police to prevent a foreseeable crime.

Taking cognizance of the matter, senior police अधिकारियों reviewed the sequence of events and the role of the investigating officer. SDPO Jayprakash Singh confirmed that Sub-Inspector Kanhaiya Singh was the investigating officer in the knife attack case and that serious lapses were found in the handling of the investigation. Based on these findings, the SP Bettiah ordered the immediate suspension of the officer. During the suspension period, SI Kanhaiya Singh has been directed to report to the police lines.

Meanwhile, the investigation into Vijay Sah’s murder has progressed significantly. Police officials state that the case has moved forward on technical grounds and that they are close to establishing the complete motive and chain of events behind the killing. The investigation team is currently awaiting the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, which is expected to provide crucial evidence to strengthen the case.

Shikarpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jwala Kumar Singh informed that the murder case was registered on the statement of the deceased’s wife, Mayawati Devi. Based on the FIR, the main accused, Azad Miyan, has already been arrested and sent to judicial custody. Police raids are ongoing to apprehend other accused persons involved in the conspiracy and execution of the crime.

The case has sparked serious questions about accountability within the policing system. Local residents and civil society members have expressed anger over the apparent disregard for repeated warnings issued by the victim’s family. Many are demanding stricter departmental action and systemic reforms to ensure that complaints of threats and intimidation are handled promptly and effectively.

The suspension of the investigating officer is being viewed as an acknowledgment of institutional failure, but the victim’s family and the public continue to seek comprehensive justice. They argue that responsibility should not stop at suspension alone, but should extend to ensuring that such negligence does not recur in future cases.

The Vijay Sah murder case stands as a grim reminder that delays and indifference in law enforcement can have irreversible consequences. As the investigation continues and more arrests are expected, the spotlight remains firmly on the police administration to restore public trust and ensure accountability at every level.