Notorious Criminal Prince Kumar Shot Dead in Bihar Police-STF Encounter
In a significant development in Bihar's law enforcement efforts, a notorious criminal named Prince Kumar, also known as Abhijeet, was shot dead during a joint operation conducted by Bihar Police and the Special Task Force (STF) in Vaishali district on Friday. The 30-year-old fugitive, who had a substantial reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head, met his end after allegedly opening fire on the police team, which retaliated in self-defence.
Fierce Exchange of Gunfire Leads to Criminal's Demise
According to official police reports, the encounter unfolded when authorities received a credible tip-off about Prince Kumar's hiding location in the Hanuman Nagar area. When the combined police and STF team reached the specified house, the wanted criminal reportedly initiated gunfire, triggering an intense exchange of bullets. Prince sustained critical injuries during the confrontation and was immediately transported to Sadar Hospital, where medical professionals declared him dead upon arrival.
During the same operation, one of Prince Kumar's associates was successfully apprehended by the authorities, marking a dual achievement in the crackdown against organized crime in the region.
Extensive Criminal History and Previous Escapes
STF Director General Kundan Krishnan revealed that Prince Kumar was facing a staggering 31 registered cases across various police stations throughout Bihar. His criminal portfolio included serious offenses such as murder, armed robbery, dacoity, and other violent crimes. A resident of Hussaina Khurd village under the Goraul police station jurisdiction in Vaishali district, Prince had established himself as a significant threat to public safety.
The criminal's most notorious act involved the murder of a police constable. In 2018, during court proceedings related to the Patepur case in Vaishali, three unidentified assailants opened fire at Constable Ram Ekbal Ravidas in an attempt to free Prince Kumar. In the ensuing chaos, Prince reportedly scuffled with a havildar, who was subsequently shot. The injured constable was rushed to Sadar Hospital in Hajipur but succumbed to his wounds.
Dramatic Escape from Police Custody
Prince Kumar's criminal career was marked by a particularly audacious escape from police custody on September 4, 2025. The sequence of events began when he was taken to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for a medical examination on September 2, where doctors declared him physically fit. Two days later, while being transported from PMCH to Marine Drive by police personnel, Prince allegedly persuaded the officers to take a stroll and later visit a doctor's residence near the Saidpur canal.
At the residence, the police personnel were served a meal of chicken and mutton, after which Prince managed to lock Policemen Subodh Paswan and Ranjan Kumar inside a room. He then escaped alongside another notorious criminal, Sonu Patel from Kadamkuan, reportedly while still wearing handcuffs. Following this incident, the then Patna Senior Superintendent of Police ordered the registration of a case at Pirbahore police station against two havildars and six constables, all of whom were subsequently suspended from duty.
Cross-State Criminal Activities and Apprehension
After fleeing during the court appearance in Vaishali, Prince Kumar allegedly committed a gold robbery in Punjab. Through persistent investigative efforts, Patna police eventually tracked him down and arrested him in Punjab, after which he was incarcerated at Beur jail in Patna. The STF had been actively monitoring his movements since his escape from PMCH last year, culminating in Friday's decisive encounter.
Vaishali Superintendent of Police Vikram Sihag commented on the operation's significance, stating, "This represents a major success in our ongoing battle against organized crime networks. However, our pursuit of the remaining gang members continues unabated as we work to completely dismantle these criminal operations."
The elimination of Prince Kumar removes a dangerous criminal from Bihar's streets, but authorities emphasize that their vigilance remains high as they continue investigations into his extensive criminal network and pursue his remaining associates.
