In a dramatic police operation in Patna, a man accused of demanding a hefty extortion amount from the son-in-law of a former top police official was shot and apprehended. The incident, which unfolded on Friday, involved the Special Task Force (STF) and local police, leading to the arrest of a notorious figure with a long criminal history.
The Encounter and Arrest
The accused has been identified as Manager Rai. Acting on a specific tip-off that Rai was planning criminal activities in the Khagaul Lakh area, a joint team from the Patna STF and the district police swiftly cordoned off the location. Upon noticing the police presence, Rai allegedly opened fire. The police team retaliated in self-defence, resulting in Rai being shot in the leg. He was subsequently rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Patna for medical treatment.
From his possession, the police recovered crucial evidence, including a pistol, two cartridges, an empty shell, and a cellphone. Manager Rai is reported to have more than 20 criminal cases registered against him, spanning charges of murder and extortion. Authorities have described him as a contract killer who had been evading arrest in a murder case for the past three years.
Connection to Former DGP's Family and Past Crimes
The chain of events that led to this encounter traces back to a formal complaint filed by Rakesh Ojha, the son-in-law of former Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Gupteshwar Pandey. Ojha lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at the Govindpur police station in Dhanbad on June 27, 2022. The FIR alleged that Manager Rai had demanded an extortion sum of Rs 11 lakh from him. At that time, Rai was also involved in the coal business in Dhanbad.
Following the registration of the case, police arrested Rai, and he was sent to jail on July 19, 2022. However, his alleged criminal activities extended far beyond this single extortion attempt.
Link to a Doctor's Murder
Police officials stated that Manager Rai was a key suspect in the brutal murder of Dr Mohammad Anwar Alam. This crime occurred on August 17, 2022, in the Danapur area under the Phulwarisharif police station limits. The doctor was tragically killed while cycling home from his clinic in Tarachak to his residence in Bhusaula, Danapur. Rai had been absconding in connection with this murder case since the incident.
The recent encounter in Patna has brought a wanted criminal to justice, highlighting the persistent efforts of the STF and police in tackling serious organised crime in the region. The investigation into his extensive criminal network is ongoing.
