Jamshedpur loot: Police nailing several gangs in WB, Odisha and Bihar

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Feb 17: Police investigation into the Rs 32 lakh cash loot at Bistupur is revolving around half a dozen gangs having a criminal connection with the city.

Sources said various police teams are conducting raids in Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar in search of the looters. Cops have taken one Bada Chini, an old history-sheeter, into custody from Purulia (West Bengal) for interrogation in connection with the loot. But the mobile phone locations and interrogation has ruled out Chini’s involvement in the loot, sources said.

Two criminals had looted Rs 32 lakh from the two staff of the city-based jewelry showroom, Chhaganlal Dayaljee Sons, at the entrance gate of Gajraj Mansion in Bistupur on 14^th February last. They injured the showroom staff before decamping with the cash bag. The incident has raised public concern about deteriorating law and order situation in the city. Traders’ body, Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has given an ultimatum of 72 hours to the city police to arrest the looters and recover the looted cash.

Sources further revealed that a city police team has also detained several members of Koda gang in Katihar (Bihar). This gang could be involved in the loot, given its peculiar modus operandi. The gang members usually do not use pistols or other arms to commit such loots. This was the reason for the city police to exclude Koda gang from the list of suspects so far. But now cops strongly believe that the gang could have a hand in the loot, sources said.

Investigators have closely examined several video footages of the loot incident and considered all angles. They are not sure if the looters held pistol in their hands as told by one of the victims of the loot incident.

Sources said three teams of city police are currently searching for the culprits in Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha. City police teams are conducting raids with the help of local police to nab the suspects.

Investigators also suspect the role of gangs run by Rafique, Saddam and Afsar, all city residents with criminal past. The three have been jailed earlier in several loot cases.