Woman Sarpanch Among Four Held in Begusarai Arms Case
Police in Begusarai district made a significant arrest late Tuesday night. They detained four people for allegedly carrying illegal arms and ammunition. A woman sarpanch was among those taken into custody.
Late-Night Operation at Toll Plaza
A joint team of the Special Task Force and district police conducted the operation. They set up a vehicle-checking drive at Shahpur Toll Plaza on National Highway 31. The action came after police received specific intelligence about criminal movement.
Begusarai SP Maneesh provided details about the tip-off. "We got information that some criminals were traveling from Khagaria toward Begusarai," he said. "They were reportedly in a white SUV carrying illegal weapons."
Acting on this information, authorities mobilized quickly. The Special Task Force joined forces with the District Intelligence Unit and local police personnel. Together, they launched the checking drive to intercept the suspected vehicle.
The Arrest and Recovery
When the white SUV reached the toll plaza, police surrounded it completely. Officers conducted a thorough search of the vehicle. Their examination yielded several concerning items.
From the SUV, police recovered:
- One pistol
- Two magazines
- Sixteen rounds of ammunition
- Six cellphones
The discovery of these items led to immediate arrests. All four occupants of the vehicle were taken into police custody.
Identifying the Accused
The arrested individuals include Preeti Jha, a 43-year-old woman who serves as sarpanch. She comes from Madhavpur panchayat under Parbatta police station area in Khagaria district. Police records show she resides in Muradpur village.
Her son, Prince Kumar, aged 21, was also arrested. The third detainee is Subodh Singh, a 42-year-old resident of Vishnupur village. This village falls under the same Parbatta police station area.
The fourth arrested person is Abdul Rahim Khan, aged 50. He originally hails from Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh. Currently, he lives in West Mumbai at Kismat Nagar on CST Road in Kurla.
Police Investigation Continues
Authorities are now questioning all four accused individuals. They want to determine where the group was heading with the weapon. Police are also investigating the purpose of Abdul Rahim Khan's presence with the group.
"We are trying to ascertain why a man from Uttar Pradesh, currently based in Mumbai, was traveling with them," SP Maneesh added. The unusual combination of individuals has raised additional questions for investigators.
Police sources reveal that Preeti Jha was under surveillance for some time. She allegedly maintained contacts with influential people within the state. Her network reportedly extended to suspicious individuals in other states as well.
The joint operation demonstrates coordinated efforts between different police units. It highlights ongoing vigilance against illegal arms transportation in the region. Further details may emerge as the interrogation progresses.
