Patna: A 20-year-old motorcyclist died after a speeding SUV allegedly carrying a large consignment of liquor rammed into his bike near Harnathpur village under Raghunathpur police station area in Siwan district on Thursday. Police later recovered foreign liquor and multiple registration number plates from the vehicle, raising suspicions of an interstate smuggling network.According to police, the deceased was identified as Sushil Ram, a resident of Harnathpur village. The SUV first hit an autorickshaw before colliding with Sushil’s motorcycle, throwing him several feet away. He sustained critical injuries and died on the spot.After the accident, the SUV veered off the road and fell into a roadside ditch. Two youths travelling in the vehicle allegedly tried to flee but were caught by local residents, who assaulted them before police intervened.A Dial-112 team reached the spot, brought the situation under control and took both youths into custody. During a search of the damaged vehicle, police recovered a large quantity of illegal foreign liquor.Raghunathpur SHO Raviranjan Singh said police also found additional number plates inside the SUV. While the vehicle was displaying a Uttar Pradesh registration number, number plates bearing West Bengal registration numbers were allegedly recovered from inside the vehicle.Police suspect the vehicle was being used for liquor smuggling and are investigating the role of the occupants. The seized liquor has been taken into custody, while the body was sent to Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination.
