BJP leader Raju Jha shot dead in West Bengal's Bardhaman

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Raju Jha, was shot dead by unidentified miscreants at Shaktigrah in West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman on Saturday evening, the police said.

According to senior officials, the victim BJP leader, identified as Raju Jha, a Durgapur-based businessman, along with some colleagues was on his way to Kolkata when he was attacked by unidentified people outside a confectionery shop in the Shaktigarh area.

"In the car, there were three persons including Raju Jha. The motive of the accused is yet to be ascertained. Further investigation is underway," Bardhaman SP Kamnasis Sen said.

According to the police, Jha was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead. The injured persons were undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Following the incident, the accused fled the spot, he added.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur reacts to Jha's death

Union minister & BJP leader Anurag Thakur reacted on the death of BJP leader Raju Jha who was shot dead by unidentified miscreants in Shaktigarh of Purba Bardhaman in West Bengal last night.

While speaking to the media, Thakur criticised West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee over Jha's death. He also stated that there is a situation of lawlessness in the state governed by Banerjee. Further targeting her, he stated that Banerjee is being biased and doesn't care about violence taking place against Hindus.

About Jha's political career

During the rule of the Left Front, Jha was accused of operating an illegal coal business in Silpanchal.

In the Trinamool government, various cases were also registered against him. He joined the BJP ahead of the last assembly elections in December 2021, in the presence of State President Dilip Ghosh.

Further investigation is underway, the police added.