Police Hunt Suspect After Woman Killed in Domestic Dispute Over Birth Ritual

Patna, August 26 – A domestic confrontation in the Halai police area of Samastipur district ended in murder when a newly‑wed mother was shot during the "Chhathi" ceremony, a ritual observed six days after a child's birth.

The incident unfolded in the rural settlement of Chakalalshahi, where Manjula Devi and her husband Suraj Sahu were hosting relatives to celebrate the arrival of their daughter. According to the victim's kin, a disagreement erupted between the couple, leading Suraj to allegedly fire a gun at Manjula.

Manjula suffered critical injuries and collapsed instantly. Her brothers transported her to Samastipur District Hospital, but doctors declared her dead on arrival.

The family has charged Suraj with murder, and local authorities have issued a notice to locate the suspect, who is currently missing. Police teams have visited the village, sealed the crime scene, and summoned forensic specialists to gather ballistic evidence.

Interrogations of witnesses and nearby residents are ongoing to piece together the cause of the argument. The dead woman's body has been moved to the district hospital for a thorough post‑mortem, and the case proceeds under relevant homicide statutes.