Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi/Jamtara
Ranchi/Jamtara, Aug 3: Jharkhand Police have issued an alert in several districts, including Dhanbad, Ranchi, Palamu, Ramgarh and Jamtara, after gangster Sujit Sinha was killed in a late-night encounter with police in Jamtara.
Sinha, one of the state's most feared organised crime figures, was accused in more than 75 criminal cases, including murder, extortion, kidnapping and violations under the Arms Act. His death has brought an end to a nearly two-decade-long criminal career that had spread across Jharkhand's coal belt and Palamu region.
According to police, Sinha was being shifted from Sahibganj Divisional Jail to Dhanbad Divisional Jail on Sunday night when the incident occurred. The prison convoy was travelling on the Sahibganj-Govindpur National Highway when an escort vehicle suffered a tyre puncture between Supaidih and Kendbona in Jamtara district.
Police said that while Sinha was being moved to another vehicle, he allegedly snatched a weapon from a security personnel and attempted to escape. Officers claimed that he opened fire at the police team, following which retaliatory firing took place. Sinha suffered critical injuries and later died.
Following the encounter, Jamtara Police sealed the area and began a detailed investigation. A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team collected evidence from the spot, while senior police officials inspected the site and reviewed the sequence of events.
Sinha's body was sent for post-mortem examination, which is being conducted by a board of doctors as per National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) guidelines. The procedure is being videographed, and a magisterial inquiry into the encounter has also been initiated.
A native of Medininagar in Palamu district, Sinha began his criminal career as a sharpshooter for late Hazaribagh-based gangster Sushil Srivastava before establishing his own syndicate. His network operated across Dhanbad, Bokaro, Ramgarh, Ranchi, Palamu, Latehar and Chatra districts.
Police said his gang was involved in extortion activities targeting coal traders, railway contractors, builders and businessmen. Investigating agencies had alleged that Sinha continued operating his criminal network from prison through mobile phones and associates.
Police also alleged that his wife, Riya Sinha, along with other aides, helped manage extortion collections and coordinate gang activities. Recent investigations had led to the arrest of several gang members and recovery of weapons and other materials.
Authorities have also been probing alleged links between Sinha's network and absconding Dhanbad gangster Prince Khan, including suspected hawala channels, overseas-directed extortion operations and illegal firearm supply networks.
Following his death, intelligence units have been placed on alert across sensitive districts as police monitor possible reactions from gang members and rival criminal groups. Authorities are working to dismantle the remaining structure of the syndicate and prevent any revival of organised crime.