Horror at Darbhanga Medical College: Father Shoots Son-in-Law Over Inter-Caste Marriage, Campus Erupts in Protest

In a shocking crime that has sent shockwaves through Bihar’s student community, a 24-year-old BSc nursing student was shot dead on the premises of Darbhanga Medical College on the evening of August 5. The victim, Rahul Kumar, was in his second semester at the college and had recently married his classmate, Tanu Priya, a first-semester student.

The murder unfolded dramatically right at the gates of the BMC nursing college hostel. Eyewitnesses report that Rahul Kumar’s father-in-law, Prem Shankar Jha, arrived at the campus, drew a gun, and shot Rahul at close range—and the motive was heartbreakingly clear: Rahul had defied family opposition and married Tanu Priya in an inter-caste love marriage just four months ago.

As the gunshot rang out, panic and chaos gripped the hospital campus. Students and onlookers reacted quickly, catching and beating the accused as he tried to flee. Prem Shankar Jha was left severely injured and had to be admitted to the college’s emergency unit for treatment. Due to his critical condition, he was later referred to a hospital in Patna.

The incident sparked immediate outrage among students, who gathered in large numbers inside the hospital, demanding the death penalty for the accused. As tempers flared and the crowd grew unruly, heavy police presence was deployed and, ultimately, the police had to resort to a lathi-charge to disperse the agitated students. Senior district officials including the Darbhanga DM and SSP rushed to the scene.

Preliminary police investigations have confirmed that Rahul and Tanu’s marriage was against the wishes of their families and castes, fueling longstanding resentment among Tanu’s relatives. Both students lived in the college hostel—Rahul on the upper floor, Tanu on the lower floor. According to police, the inter-caste aspect of the marriage exacerbated family tensions and is believed to have directly led to this tragedy.

The police have assured a thorough investigation and the registration of an FIR against the accused. “We are taking all necessary steps to ensure justice. The investigation is on and strict action will be taken,” said Darbhanga SSP Jagannath Reddy.

This horrific incident exposes the dark underbelly of caste prejudices and ‘honor’ violence in modern India, where young lives are still at risk for daring to love outside the social boundaries set by their families. As Rahul’s friends and fellow students mourn the loss and demand justice, the story has reignited urgent questions about safety, social change, and the cost of challenging deep-seated traditions.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.