The murder of Suraj Bihari in Purnia, Bihar, has sent shockwaves through social media circles and beyond. A man of means, with a burgeoning online presence and business acumen, met a violent end while trying to broker peace in a petty feud. Police investigations reveal a web of local rivalries that turned deadly, with no arrests 36 hours post-crime.
Jawahar Yadav’s son, Suraj, wasn’t your average influencer. Assisting in his family’s thriving enterprises, he earned crores annually, indulging in a collection of luxury rides and frequent escapades with friends. His Instagram reels, filled with party scenes and adventures, painted a picture of unbridled opulence. Yet, this very visibility may have made him a target.
The trigger was a seemingly trivial spat. Subodh Sharma, son of a Nevalal Chowk resident and aspiring content creator, filmed girls at a school Saraswati Puja event. Posting online irked Snehil Jha, the boyfriend of one participant, who abducted and assaulted Subodh. Retaliation followed: Subodh rallied friends to storm Snehil’s home, prompting a counterattack by 15-20 youths.
Three days of escalating tensions peaked when the groups faced off again. Suraj’s brother sided with Subodh, and a frantic call brought Suraj racing in with his guard. As he stepped out weapon in hand, Snehil summoned Brajesh Singh’s gang. Eight armed men on bikes swarmed, leading to a brawl. Suraj was shot twice before drawing his pistol; his guard faced gunfire while fetching arms.
The assault, fully recorded on nearby CCTV, ended with Suraj succumbing en route to Hope Hospital. Naming hardcore criminals like Brajesh—who fled after killing a remand home supervisor in 2018—and others in the FIR, police hunt for leads. Suraj’s father had bolstered security years ago, but it proved futile.
This brazen daytime killing exposes vulnerabilities in Bihar’s underbelly, where personal disputes summon professional hitmen. As the investigation unfolds, questions linger: Was Suraj’s prominence a factor? The public awaits accountability amid grief.