Jharkhand on high alert after gangster Sujit Sinha killed in police encounter

Ranchi/Jamtara: Security has been tightened across several districts of Jharkhand after notorious gangster Sujit Sinha was killed in a police encounter during a prison transfer in Jamtara district, officials said on Monday.

Alerts have been issued in Dhanbad, Ranchi, Palamu, Ramgarh, Jamtara and other sensitive areas amid concerns that members of Sinha's gang or rival criminal groups could attempt to exploit the situation.

Sinha, who faced more than 75 criminal cases, including murder, extortion, kidnapping and Arms Act offences, had been one of Jharkhand's most wanted gangsters for nearly two decades. Although serving a life sentence in the Palamu double murder case, police alleged that he continued to run his criminal network from prison.

According to police, Sinha was being shifted from Sahibganj Divisional Jail to Dhanbad Divisional Jail on Sunday night when the incident took place on the Sahibganj-Govindpur National Highway in Jamtara district.

Officials said one of the escort vehicles developed a tyre puncture between Supaidih and Kendbona. During the transfer to another vehicle, Sinha allegedly snatched a weapon from a security personnel and attempted to escape.

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Police claimed that he opened fire on the escort team, prompting retaliatory firing. Sinha sustained serious injuries in the exchange and later died.

The encounter site attracted a large crowd on Monday after news of the incident spread. Police sealed the area while a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team collected evidence and senior officers examined the scene.

Authorities said Sinha's body has been sent for postmortem, which is being conducted by a board of doctors in accordance with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) guidelines. The autopsy is being videographed, and a magisterial inquiry into the encounter has also been ordered.

A native of Medininagar in Palamu district, Sinha initially operated as a sharpshooter for slain gangster Sushil Srivastava before establishing his own criminal syndicate across Dhanbad, Bokaro, Ramgarh, Ranchi, Palamu, Latehar, Chatra and other districts.

His gang was allegedly involved in extorting coal traders, railway contractors, builders and businessmen. Investigating agencies have maintained that he continued to direct operations from jail through mobile phones and trusted associates.

Police have also alleged that his wife, Riya Sinha, and other aides helped manage extortion money and coordinate the gang's activities. In recent months, several members of the syndicate have been arrested, with police recovering weapons and other incriminating materials.

Investigators are also probing the gang's alleged links with absconding Dhanbad-based gangster Prince Khan, including suspected hawala transactions, extortion networks operating from abroad and the supply of sophisticated firearms.

Following Sinha's death, intelligence units and district police have been placed on high alert as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle the remaining network and prevent any resurgence of organised crime.

With inputs from IANS