Wanted criminal of Patna City shot at, arrested

Patna: A wanted criminal, carrying a reward of Rs25,000 on his head, was injured in an exchange of fire with police on Wednesday. After the gun battle, he was arrested. The accused was identified as Rajeev Kumar alias Surya Don, a resident of Siddhi Ghat, Diwan Mohalla, under Khajekalan police station area in Patna City.Acting on a tip-off that the gangster was holed up in the Gai Ghat area and was plotting a major crime, a joint team of Bihar Special Task Force (STF) and Patna police cordoned off the area near Gaighat Bridge, where he was spotted.City SP (East) Parichay Kumar said: “Alamganj police station received information that Surya reached Gaighat Bridge with the intention of collecting extortion money from boatmen. As soon as the police, along with the STF and DIU (District Intelligence Unit) team, arrived there, the criminal fired at the police personnel.

The police team retaliated in self-defence,” he said.“Two rounds were exchanged. The criminal was shot at in the leg and he fell on the ground. The police team immediately captured him and sent him to the NMCH for treatment under police custody. A pistol and a live cartridge were recovered from his possession. Further investigation is underway,” the SP told TOI, adding that the area was secured and the forensic team was called to the spot for the collection of evidence.

Surya, who committed many serious crimes, such as firing on the police as well as a dozen robberies and loots, continuously extorted money from areas such as Kangan Ghat, Gaighat, Bhadra Ghat, and Mitan Ghat of Patna, and from the Diara area of Vaishali district. He was also involved in the liquor trade.According to police, more than 15 cases, including robbery, loot, firing and the Arms Act, were registered against him in various police stations of Patna district.