Hajipur (Bihar): A government Assistant Engineer, deputed as a magistrate at the famous Sonepur cattle fair, was allegedly shot dead by unidentified men near Old Gandak bridge in Vaishali district, police said today.

Ram Ashok Rai, an employee of state Planning and Development Department, was recently deputed as a magistrate at the fair was shot dead late last night close to Old Gandak bridge near Hajipur, police said.

Station House Officer (SHO) of Town police station P C Mishra said the incident happened when Rai was going for his duty at the fair. It seems the criminals were waiting near the bridge for him and fired once he reached there.  

“We have lodged an FIR and have started investigating the case. We are trying to trace the criminals and find the reason behind the murder,” the SHO said.