In a significant crackdown on organized crime, Bokaro police on Sunday apprehended three youths, including the son of a police sub-inspector, on serious charges of extortion and illegal possession of firearms. The arrests highlight a disturbing trend of educated individuals leveraging technology for criminal activities in the region.
Prime Accused: A Highly Educated Criminal Mastermind
The key figure in this case is Rajneesh Raj, a 25-year-old with an MBA degree from Pune. Bokaro Superintendent of Police Harvinder Singh described Rajneesh as a "highly educated and tech-savvy criminal" who has nearly nine criminal cases registered against him across various police stations in Bokaro district for extortion and arms-related offences.
"An MBA graduate from Pune, he is well-versed in modern technology and digital applications, which he allegedly used to execute crimes and evade law enforcement," SP Singh revealed during a press briefing. The investigation uncovered that Rajneesh possessed sophisticated knowledge of the dark web—an encrypted segment of the internet frequently exploited for illegal transactions and communications.
Arrest Details and Criminal Operations
The other two accused have been identified as Salman Ahmad Khan (25) and Mohammad Saifuddin (28). A specialized police team successfully tracked and captured the trio near the Bandhdih railway overbridge following intensive surveillance operations.
During interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed to a September 2025 incident where they opened fire at the Bandhdih railway siding to intimidate a contractor who had refused to pay extortion money. This violent episode resulted in injuries to a tractor driver. Police sources indicated the group was actively planning another shooting incident to further spread fear and establish their criminal dominance in the area.
Substantial Evidence Recovered
The police seizure from the arrested individuals included:
- A country-made 7.65 mm pistol
- Eight live cartridges
- Multiple extortion threat notes
- A vehicle used in criminal activities
- A wireless dongle for internet connectivity
This recovery provides concrete evidence of their organized criminal operations and planned future activities. The case underscores the evolving nature of crime in digital India, where traditional extortion rackets now incorporate technological sophistication.
Bokaro police have intensified their investigation to uncover potential connections to broader criminal networks and determine whether the accused exploited their technological knowledge for additional illegal activities beyond the current charges. The involvement of a police officer's son in such serious crimes has raised questions about oversight and accountability within law enforcement families.
