Daijiworld Media Network - Chapra
Chapra, Dec 20: In a shocking twist, Bihar’s Saran police on Saturday revealed that the foiled kidnapping attempt of a Chapra-based doctor was not the handiwork of an external gang but a conspiracy hatched from within the medical fraternity itself.
The prime accused, Patna-based anaesthesiologist Dr S N Singh, popularly known as Shiv Narayan, was arrested for allegedly plotting the abduction of Dr Sajal Kumar, with whom he worked at a private hospital. Police said financial greed drove the crime, with the conspirators planning to demand a ransom of over Rs 1 crore.
Superintendent of Police (Saran) Kumar Ashish said Dr Shiv Narayan was employed at Dr Sajal’s hospital on a monthly salary of Rs 1 lakh. He allegedly conspired with his associate Monti Bharti, a Haryana resident and his personal bouncer, to execute the plan. Monti reportedly hired local criminals to carry out the abduction.
According to police, the incident occurred around 10.20 pm on December 17, when Dr Sajal was returning to his Sadhanapuri residence in Chapra along with his driver after closing his Health Care Research Centre in the Dahiyawan area. Four armed assailants lay in wait outside his house and kidnapped him at gunpoint before fleeing in a car.
However, near Municipality Chowk, dense fog forced the vehicle to slow down, giving Dr Sajal a chance to escape. Displaying presence of mind, he opened the car door and jumped onto the road, narrowly avoiding serious injury. The kidnappers’ vehicle later met with an accident, during which a country-made pistol was left behind inside the car.
Police have arrested six accused so far, including Dr Shiv Narayan. Five others — Monti Bharti, Dheeraj Giri of Sahebganj, and Saran residents Ranjan Rai, Sonu Rai and Golu Kumar — have been identified as absconding. Two accused, Ranjan and Sonu, sustained bullet injuries in their legs during a police encounter while attempting to flee.
During interrogation, police recovered two country-made pistols, one additional firearm, five empty shells, two live cartridges and two mobile phones snatched from the doctor’s driver and caretaker. Investigators said the hired criminals were allegedly paid around Rs 20,000 for their role in the crime.
The SP further disclosed that Dr Sajal had recently invested in real estate, which may have prompted the conspirators to believe he could pay a hefty ransom. Several fraud cases are already registered against the prime accused in East Champaran and Gopalganj districts.
Police said further investigation is underway to nab the remaining accused and uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.