A prisoner, a suspect involved in a dozen cases, was killed by unidentified men by hurling bombs on the Patna civil court premises. All court proceedings have come to a standstill after the attack.
At least three lawyers were also injured in the attack and several under-trials escaped, taking advantage of the situation.
According to police sources, Harivansh Rai, undertrial prisoner, accused of triple murder in a village near Patna on Diwali night last year, was killed in the bomb attack.
]"A group of armed criminals walked into the court premises on Thursday and hurled bombs on Rai. He died on the spot," a police officer said.
Before hurling bombs, the criminals also fired at him from close range, eyewitnesses said. Police officers said three lawyers, injured in the attack, were rushed to the Patna Medical College and Hospital. Top police officials, including IG rank official and SSP, Patna, rushed to the campus.
Hundreds of lawyers shouted slogans against the administration and police in protest against the incident.
