A group of armed criminals attacked and seriously injured Ravi Modi, brother of  Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi in Patna Tuesday night. He was admitted to a private clinic for treatment. He is said to be in a critical condition, but is out of danger.

Police officials said Modi was attacked with liquor bottles and seriously injured by unidentified criminals on a road near Rajendra Nagar. "Some four or five criminals attacked him and seriously injured him. He was admitted in the ICU ward of Magadh hospital with heavy bleeding," a senior police official said.

An eyewitness told police that criminals in a car overtook Modi and shouted out that they would kill him.

The murderous attack on Modi, a businessman, has come a few hours ahead of Holi, the festival of colours.

Police have launched an operation to nab the criminals behind the attack. Sushil Modi was reportedly away in New Delhi to celebrate Holi with his family.

Ironically, Sushil Modi's brother was attacked and seriously injured at a time when the state administration claimed to have tightened security for Holi.