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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Patna shooter used online haircut service, police tracked him with toll plaza data
AS POLICE in Bihar launched an intense search to nab him for the July 17 murder at a Patna hospital, prime suspect Tauseef Khan alias Badshah managed to flee to Kolkata and urgently availed an online service — to get a neat haircut. The ploy to change appearance almost worked, according to investigators involved in the operation to nab him from a Kolkata guesthouse two days later. 'When we caught him, he looked completely different; he had cut his hair short. He wasn't immediately recognisable,' Solomon V Nesakumar, ACP (STF), Kolkata Police, told The Indian Express on Tuesday. Hours after Chandan Mishra, a criminal from Buxar who was out on parole, was gunned down at Patna's Paras Hospital, CCTV footage had emerged showing Tauseef and his accomplices — armed with guns — entering his cabin, and rushing out after a few minutes. Once police in Bihar had the footage, images of the suspects were sent out to alert police in neighbouring states, as is the practice. And then came the specific alert: Tauseef was heading towards Kolkata. West Bengal STF IG Gaurav Sharma said, 'The Bihar STF contacted us, informing that Tauseef Khan and three others were en route to Kolkata in a vehicle, and provided us with the vehicle number.' Bihar Police had obtained this crucial information from a woman they had arrested. With only the registration number, West Bengal STF began tracking the vehicle's movement — based on FASTag and toll plaza data — as it crossed Jharkhand. Around 10.30 pm on July 17, the vehicle was traced to Dankuni in West Bengal, before it entered Kolkata. A key factor in the successful operation was the use of Automated Number Plate Reading (ANPR) systems. 'It's a very advanced, specialised camera. The number plates captured by these cameras are clearer, and using an algorithm, it provides clear data, making it easier to search vehicle movement,' Sharma said. Soon after their presence in Kolkata was established, multiple teams from Kolkata Police STF and Bengal STF were put on high alert. By July 18 morning, police were confident that the suspects would attempt to leave the city, prompting them to alert all toll plazas. ACP Nesakumar said, 'We identified a place through sheer analysis technology, ANPR. The car was in a residential area. There was a guest house.' Although the police identified Tauseef's cousin Nishu Khan, who had suffered from paralysis, he said: 'Tauseef looked totally different from what he looked like when he committed the crime. They were not armed, we arrested them.' Tauseef, Nishu, and his caretakers Harsh and Bhim, were arrested on July 19. They were taken to Patna on Monday after the Alipore court in Kolkata granted two days of transit remand to Bihar Police. Following medical examinations, all four were presented before the court in Patna. 'While three of the accused were sent to judicial custody, Patna Police secured remand for Tauseef for three days to conduct further interrogation in the case,' Patna Police said. Patna SSP Kartikeya Sharma said investigation was on to establish the motive behind Mishra's killing. Police on Tuesday arrested three more suspects – two of whom had accompanied Tauseef into the hospital – after a brief encounter in Bhojpur district of Bihar. The encounter took place around 5 am along Katia Road under Bihia police station limits when a joint team of the Bihar STF and local police identified the three and ordered them to surrender. 'The suspects responded by opening fire, prompting retaliatory action by police. In the exchange, two of the accused, Balwant Kumar Singh and Raviranjan Kumar Singh, sustained bullet injuries. Both are currently in police custody and receiving medical treatment. A third accused, Abhishek Kumar, was arrested at the site,' a senior police officer said. Balwant and Raviranjan were the shooters who accompanied Tauseef, police sources said. Abhishek drove the motorcycle in which Balwant and Raviranjan escaped from the hospital after the murder. Police have also recovered two pistols, one country-made firearm, two magazines, and four live cartridges from the scene. 'During preliminary interrogation, the arrested individuals admitted to their involvement in the July 17 murder of Chandan Mishra at Paras Hospital,' an officer said. Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics. With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences. Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Patna hospital murder: Gangster in Bengal jail hatched plot with help of Chandan Mishra's family associate
Kolkata: Bihar-based gangster Onkarnath Singh a.k.a. Sheru, who is currently behind bars at a correctional home at Purulia district in West Bengal, reportedly planned the murder of his opponent, Chandan Mishra, in a hospital in Patna with the help of the latter's family associate. As per the sources in the West Bengal Police, one of Mishra's family associates, who is still the 'missing link' in police terms, supplied crucial information to Sheru regarding Chandan Mishra's parole details. 'That missing link was also reportedly responsible for convincing Mishra to get admitted to the Paras Hospital in Patna as per instructions of Sheru so that the latter could plan and execute the murder easily,' the state police insider said. According to him, Sheru and Chandan had together committed various crimes in Bihar's Buxar area. After that, differences erupted over various issues between the two friends, which ultimately led to their fallout. They both decided to part ways and start their respective gangs. Eventually, the two became enemies. State police sources further said Sheru had used the close associate of Chandan, who was lodged in Beur jail, to monitor the movements and activities of the latter. "This associate was involved in the murder conspiracy. The person supplied crucial information to Sheru, which was used to plan the murder," said a police source. After receiving news that Chandan was being released on parole for 15 days, Sheru hatched a plan to murder him. The police have learned that Chandan sought medical advice from his family associate, who also happened to be a close associate of Sheru. On Sheru's instruction, that person advised Chandan to get admitted to Paras Hospital in Patna. Accordingly, Sheru hired Tauseef alias Badshah for the murder. Tauseef, the prime accused, and three others were arrested from Kolkata on Saturday in a joint operation by the Bihar Police and Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police. Police sources said that Sheru first asked Badshah to find out which hospital would be convenient for them to execute the murder. "Badshah had suggested Paras Hospital in Patna as he was born and raised in the Phulwari Sharif area of Patna. He knew the area like the back of his hand, and Paras Hospital is not far from there. Sheru told Chandan's family associate about it. The associate then asked Chandan to get treated at Paras Hospital," said the police source. It was also learned that Badshah had visited one of his associates undergoing treatment at Paras Hospital several times in the last few days. He had learned about the lack of security in the hospital and chose it as a convenient place to conduct the operation. After killing Chandan Mishra, Badshah and his associates entered Bengal from Bihar at Sheru's advice. "We are looking for that associate. The phone calls and WhatsApp chats of others, including the arrested Tauseef, are being examined to get information about that person," said a police officer.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Encounter breaks out between Patna hospital shooters and police, 2 injured
An encounter broke out early Tuesday in Bhojpur district between police and three men suspected to be involved in the murder of Chandan Mishra at Patna's Paras hospital. Two of the three were injured and are undergoing treatment, while the third has been arrested, police said. The encounter took place at around 5 am along Katia Road under Bihia police station limits when a joint team of the Special Task Force (STF) and local police identified three armed individuals and ordered them to surrender, the Bihar Police said. 'The suspects responded by opening fire, prompting retaliatory action by police. In the exchange, two of the accused, Balwant Kumar Singh and Raviranjan Kumar Singh, sustained bullet injuries. Both are currently under police custody and receiving medical treatment. A third accused, Abhishek Kumar, was arrested at the site,' a senior police officer said. Police said they also recovered two pistols, one country-made firearm, two magazines, and four live cartridges from the scene. 'During preliminary interrogation, the arrested individuals admitted to their involvement in the July 17 murder of Chandan Mishra at Paras Hospital in Patna,' police said. Earlier, in a coordinated operation supported by the Kolkata Police, four other accused, including the main shooter Tauseef Badshah, were arrested on Sunday from a guest house some 280 metres from Anandapur Police Station in Kolkata. They were brought to Patna on Monday after the Alipore court in Kolkata granted two-day transit remand to Bihar Police. Following medical examinations, all four were presented before a court in Patna on Monday. 'While three of the accused were sent to judicial custody, Patna police secured remand for Tauseef for three days to conduct further interrogation in the case,' an officer in Patna said. Patna SSP Kartikeya Sharma said the remand period for Tauseef begins Tuesday, as part of efforts to further investigate the case and establish the motive and network behind the killing. 'During investigation, it was revealed that Tauseef and other suspects had gathered at the home of his cousin, Nishu Khan, where they allegedly planned the execution. After the incident, Nishu Khan (who is physically disabled) fled with Tauseef and his caretakers in his vehicle.' The officer said that both Tausheef and Nishu have previous criminal records with Tausheef having faced cases under the NDPS Act, Arms Act, and attempted murder and Nishu charged in cases related to extortion and the Arms Act. Tauseef had previously spent time in jail under the Arms Act and was released on bail in 2024. Nishu had been shot over a personal dispute around 2023 and had sustained an injury to his spine. Chandan Mishra, a paroled criminal from Buxar, was shot dead on July 17 at Patna's Paras Hospital by 5 gunned men, after he got admitted for a laparoscopic surgery on July 15. His parole was going to end on July 18, a police source had told. Mishra's father had in his police complaint identified 'Tausheef Badshah alias Nasim, along with Balwant Singh and Monu Singh' from Buxar through video footage aired in the news as three of the five shooters. Chandan had over 24 criminal cases against him, and preliminary investigations suggested that the attack was orchestrated by his a former friend-turned-foe Sheru Singh, sources said. Police said a clearer picture of connection, execution and motive between the attack will come after the interrogation of the suspects. Police investigation so far, has revealed that nine people were directly involved in the shooting. 'Additionally, others provided weapons and helped with reconnaissance,' an officer had said.
The Print
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Bihar ADG linking farmers to rising crime uncalled for. Data just doesn't support such claims
The data shared by Krishnan indicated a trend of rising crime in Bihar, particularly homicides, after the harvesting of the rabi crops, which are sown in winter and harvested in spring. An objective analysis of such data and crime trends is always welcome. The problem was his slip of tongue, placing the farming community in the dock for the heightened murder figures. The mere mention of farmers, the revered 'annadata,' in the surcharged electoral milieu was bound to spark controversy. Law and order in Bihar, which goes to the polls in October-November, has deteriorated significantly, as evidenced by rising crime rates and the state police's inability to curb violence and provide suraksha to its people. Rarely do statements made by senior police officers court controversy. However, Kundan Krishnan, Additional Director General (Headquarters) of Bihar Police, recently drew criticism for attributing the rise in crime to 'farmers [who] do not have any work.' 'After the rains, people from the farming community get busy and incidents reduce,' he said during a press conference when asked about the reasons behind the spike in murders in the state, including that of industrialist Gopal Khemka. Kundan Krishnan hails from Nalanda and is serving in his home cadre. He must be well aware of the intricacies of policing in Bihar and the sensitivities of its people and political parties, having long served in the state. His inadvertent reference to farmers has undoubtedly caused a dent in his own image as a professional, and in that of the police force in general. It is good that the officer has apologised for his statement. Also read: Fear of criminals and cops—Bihar traders say 'it's jungle raj', want Yogi-style justice Crime data doesn't support Bihar ADG's claim Growing up in the agrarian hinterlands of Punjab and Haryana in the 1970s and 1980s, I would often hear that after a bountiful harvest of wheat and other crops, there would be an uptick in the sale of jeeps and 12-bore guns, both considered status symbols in the martial North Indian states. It was also reported that these vehicles and weapons were often used to settle property disputes and personal enmities festering for generations. The current crime data does not support such associations. Education, social transformation, urbanisation, migration, digitalisation, and commerce have majorly impacted how people respond to personal disputes and challenges. Agrarian societies are no longer isolated from these changes. Crime is a dynamic entity, constantly evolving in character. Traditional crimes like dacoity and robbery are giving way to cybercrime. Women's empowerment has led to a significant increase in the reporting of crimes against women. Deaths on roads and the arteries of economic growth now outnumber murders by some margin. There is a significant influx of money into agrarian and allied communities after the harvest season. This could be one of the contributing factors, but certainly not the only one, behind a rise in homicide cases in any state. Some of the accused may come from farming backgrounds. However, no community can be painted with a broad brush. Also read: Prison reforms need to go beyond music and meditation. Try handloom NCRB should analyse trend, share findings Unfortunately, I am unaware of any empirical studies on the causal factors behind seasonal trends in crime in India. The State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) of the Bihar Police should take the lead in this regard and conduct a study on the subject, which should then be presented before the state assembly for thorough discussion and deliberation. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the central repository of all crime-related data, should regularly analyse such trends and share findings with states to support more effective policing strategies. This emphasis on empirical research is crucial for informed decision-making in law enforcement. A few years ago, the Uttar Pradesh Police faced controversy over a circular issued by the police headquarters that directed officers to mobilise night patrols based on the Indian calendar (panchang), particularly during the week before and after amavasya, or the new moon. This circular was immediately linked to Hindutva ideology and saffronisation of the police. In a country where the rural population still relies on the Indian calendar for agrarian, social, and religious practices, using such astronomical reference to enhance night patrolling should have been seen as common sense — but instead, it became an unnecessary controversy. The data presented by the ADG (HQ) may well be irrefutable, but linking it to a particular group of people was uncalled for. Media briefings are crucial in conveying the official stance of an organisation or department. It is best to leave them to trained professionals. Just as ministries at the Centre and departments at the state level are represented by designated spokespersons — drawn either from their own cadre or from professional media backgrounds — police headquarters in states should also appoint designated media officers for daily or periodic briefings. This would help avoid off-the-cuff remarks that may unnecessarily drag the police into the cesspool of controversy. Responsible communication is key to maintaining public trust and confidence in law enforcement. Somesh Goyal, a 1984 batch IPS officer, is a former DGP of Himachal Pradesh. Views are personal. (Edited by Prashant)
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
2 suspects, involved in Bihar gangster's murder, injured in police encounter
Two men suspected to be involved in the murder of Bihar gangster Chandan Mishra were injured in an encounter with the police near Bihia in Arrah city, officials said on Tuesday. The shoot-out took place around 6 am on the Bihia-Kateya road near a river, during a joint operation by the Special Task Force (STF) and local to officials, the injured suspects — identified as Balwant and Raviranjan — were part of the gang that gunned down Chandan Mishra, a convicted murderer who was out on parole, inside a private hospital in Patna on July a resident of Buxar, was allegedly directly involved in the hospital shootout, while Raviranjan hails from Bihia in Arrah district. During the encounter, both suspects sustained bullet injuries — Raviranjan was shot in the thigh while Balwant received gunshot wounds in his arms and legs, officials injured men were initially taken to Bihia hospital around 6.25 am and later referred to Arrah for better treatment under tight police security. A third criminal, named Abhishek Kumar, has also been arrested, police said. Chandan Mishra, a resident of Buxar district, was serving his sentence in Beur Jail and had gone to the hospital for treatment when he was shot dead. CCTV footage of the incident, which went viral on social media, showed five armed men storming into the ICU and opening fire at Mishra at point-blank the Bihar Police, in a joint operation with the Kolkata Police Special Task Force (STF), arrested Tauseef alias Badshah — the prime accused — along with his cousin Nishu Khan and two aides, Harsh and Bhim, from Kolkata. Tauseef was sent to a three-day police remand while the others were remanded to judicial SSP Kartikeya K Sharma confirmed that Tauseef and Nishu were wanted in multiple cases, including those under the Arms Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police sources said that four other shooters seen in the CCTV footage have been identified and efforts are on to trace also said that the conspiracy to kill Mishra was hatched at the residence of Tauseef's cousin Nishu Khan in Samanpura locality of Patna. Khan, however, denied any involvement in the conspiracy and refuted the Patna Police's claim that a meeting took place at his five policemen, including a sub-inspector, two ASIs, and two constables, were also suspended for dereliction of duty in connection with the murder of the gangster."They have been suspended with immediate effect for dereliction of duty in connection with the murder of the convict inside a top private hospital on Thursday. The personnel were posted at Shastri Nagar police station," Patna (Central) Superintendent of Police Diksha told news agency PTI.- EndsMust Watch
