Man Disguised as Woman to Loot Highway Travelers Arrested After Police Encounter in Sonbhadra
Kon police in Sonbhadra district arrested a man on Wednesday morning. The arrest followed an encounter with the criminal who disguised himself as a woman to loot travelers on the highway. Police had earlier announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for his capture.
Police Raid Leads to Encounter
During a night patrol, Kon police received crucial information. They learned that criminals disguised as women planned to target passersby near the Kanhar River bridge. This location is on the Kon-Tilgudwa main road.
Led by Station Officer Sanjeev Kumar Singh, the police team raided the spot at 5 am. Upon seeing the police, the criminals attempted to flee towards the jungle. Finding themselves surrounded, they opened fire at the police team.
In retaliatory action, police injured one of the criminals. Krishna, also known as Krishnadev Singh, sustained a bullet injury on his leg. He is a resident of Naudiha. His accomplice managed to escape during the encounter.
Criminal Confesses to Highway Robberies
During interrogation, Singh admitted to his crimes. He revealed that he and his aides disguised themselves as women. They stopped vehicles on highways and main roads under this guise.
The criminals lured vehicle drivers to the jungle or deserted places. There, they robbed them of cash and other valuables at gunpoint. Singh explained that many victims did not file police complaints. They felt shame and feared defamation, which allowed the crimes to continue unreported.
Illegal Weapon Recovered and Case Registered
Police recovered an illegal pistol of 315 bore from Singh's possession. They also found one empty and one live cartridge. The injured criminal was sent to a government hospital for treatment.
Authorities registered a case at the Kon police station. The case includes sections 109(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 3, 25, and 27 of the Arms Act. This legal action underscores the seriousness of the offenses.
The arrest highlights ongoing efforts by police to combat highway crimes in the region. It also sheds light on the tactics used by criminals to exploit victims' vulnerabilities.
