Patna: In a major crackdown on organised crime, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police on Saturday conducted simultaneous raids at 25 locations in Patna and Nalanda districts, targeting an alleged criminal syndicate led by Nagar Parishad (Biharsharif) chief Sanjay Kumar alias Santosh Kumar Yadav, popularly known as "Santosh Don".
The operation, carried out across seven police station areas in Patna and Nalanda, led to the seizure of more than Rs 27 lakh in cash, land-related documents and luxury vehicles allegedly linked to criminal activities.
At Santosh's residence in Khidarchak village, investigators recovered Rs 6 lakh in cash, land agreements, investment documents and three vehicles. Raids at the residences of other accused also yielded cash and property papers. Police recovered Rs 2 lakh from one accused and nearly Rs 16 lakh from another. A vehicle was also seized.
The EOU arrested four accused during the operation. Officials said investigations are continuing to identify additional assets allegedly acquired through proceeds of crime and to trace the gang's financial network.
The action was taken in connection with an FIR registered on June 12 under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to the EOU, the accused and his associates were allegedly involved in land grabbing, extortion, robbery, kidnapping, attempted murder, illegal arms offences and forgery. Investigators alleged the gang used intimidation and forged documents to acquire land and build wealth over the past decade.
EOU DIG Manavjit Singh Dhillon said, "Investigation also revealed that 23 properties worth Rs 3 crore is registered in the name of his mother Lalati Devi and nine properties valued at over Rs 1 crore in the name of his wife Anju Devi, deputy head of a panchayat samiti. Additional assets were registered in the names of his mother-in-law, brother and other relatives."
"The probe further revealed that Santosh has around 30 criminal cases registered against him," Dhillon said.
