Dumka: A joint team of the Bihar police's special task force (STF) and Chhattisgarh police arrested an accused from Deoghar district on Friday in connection with the murder of jeweller Pradeep Soni and a robbery case in Chhattisgarh's Pendra on May 26.
Details of the Arrest
The accused, identified as Manish Mandal alias Nagmani, is among the most wanted criminals of Chhattisgarh. He was apprehended from Deoghar and taken into custody a couple of days ago after procuring transit remand from a local court, according to Deoghar Superintendent of Police Praveen Pushkar.
Recovery of Stolen Jewellery
Police recovered stolen jewellery looted during the crime, including 50 grams of gold and 1 kilogram of silver ornaments. Mandal, a native of Bihar's Banka district, was hiding under a false identity in a rented room above an automobile parts shop near Ramchandrapur Mor along with another youth from his village.
Operation Details
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a joint team of Bihar STF and Chhattisgarh police, assisted by Jasidih police, conducted a raid and arrested him from the hideout, said a police officer from Jasidih police station.
The Crime
Pradeep Soni was shot dead by unidentified assailants on May 26. After the murder, the criminals fled with a bag containing jewellery. A case was registered at Pendra police station.
Criminal Background
Police said Mandal has criminal cases registered against him in Bihar and Chhattisgarh, including murder, robbery, dacoity, and under the Arms Act.
About the Author: Rajesh Kumar Pandey, with over a decade of journalism experience, covers entire Santhal Parganas encompassing six districts in Jharkhand. He writes on varied issues from politics, health, tribal issues among others.
