India
Fear Grips Patna After Child's Head Found In Durga Temple, 'Drug Addict' Brother Arrested
By: News18 India
Published: 24 October 2026
Photo / Illustration: Haldwani Times News Desk
<p>PATNA: A village in Bihar’s Patna district was plunged into shock on Saturday after the head of an 18-month-old boy was discovered inside a Durga temple, prompting a police investigation into a suspected murder. The child’s elder brother has been arrested in connection with the incident, while investigators are trying to establish why the toddler was killed.</p>
<p>The incident took place at the Durga temple in Jitan Chhapra village, under the Ranitalab police station area in the Paliganj subdivision. Villagers who spotted the child’s head inside the temple immediately alerted the police. A team reached the spot and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the killing.</p>
<p>According to reports, the child was the young son of Ranju Yadav, a resident of Jitan Chhapra village. The boy was around one and a half years old. Initial information suggests that his elder brother, Ajit Kumar, also known as Bala, allegedly took him from their home to the Durga temple, situated around 200 metres away.</p>
<p>Police suspect that the child was murdered and that his head was subsequently placed inside the temple. However, investigators have yet to establish the motive behind the crime.</p>
<p>Family members and local residents told investigators that 22-year-old Ajit Kumar had reportedly been addicted to drugs for the past few months. Police are examining this information as part of the investigation, although no motive has yet been established.</p>
<p>The accused reportedly fled after the incident. Police have since arrested him and are questioning him in connection with the case. The weapon allegedly used in the crime has also reportedly been recovered.</p>
<p>Paliganj DSP Pankaj Sharma reached the village after receiving information about the discovery. He also alerted the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team in Patna, which subsequently arrived at the scene to collect evidence and examine the location.</p>
<p>Confirming the incident, Sharma said police had been informed by local residents about a child’s head lying inside the Durga temple. Officers reached the spot and launched an investigation, he said.</p>
<p>The DSP stated that the reason behind the killing remained unclear. Police are questioning family members, while forensic experts are examining the scene for evidence that could help reconstruct the sequence of events.</p>
<p>The arrest of the child’s elder brother and the reported recovery of the weapon are key developments in the investigation. However, the circumstances leading to the toddler’s death and the motive behind the alleged murder remain under investigation.</p>
<p>The incident has caused widespread alarm in Jitan Chhapra village. Police said they were examining every aspect of the case as they continued their investigation.</p>
<p>The head of an 18-month-old boy was found inside the Durga temple located in Jitan Chhapra village under the Paliganj subdivision of Patna. Villagers who discovered the remains immediately alerted local authorities, leading to a police investigation.</p>
<p>The victim's 22-year-old elder brother, Ajit Kumar (also known as Bala), was arrested by the police. Family members and locals reported that the accused had been struggling with a drug addiction for the past few months.</p>
<p>Paliganj DSP Pankaj Sharma and a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team from Patna arrived at the scene to collect evidence and examine the location. Police also reported recovering the weapon allegedly used in the crime.</p>
