Bokaro/Patna: A team from Patna’s Gardanibagh police station was arrested by Jharkhand Police on Sunday after a firing incident in Bokaro’s Sector-4 Lakshmi Market area left two people injured, including a local fruit vendor and the brother of a kidnapped girl.
The Patna police team had reportedly gone to Bokaro in a private vehicle to recover a kidnapped girl. During the operation, a bullet was allegedly discharged from a weapon belonging to the Bihar police team, injuring fruit seller Vivek and the girl’s brother.
Chaos After Gunfire, Locals Detain Cops
Following the firing, panic spread in the busy Lakshmi Market. Locals, angered and alarmed, surrounded the Patna police team. Jharkhand Police soon reached the spot and detained the Bihar police personnel. A viral photo shows Jharkhand Police escorting the Bihar team by holding one policeman by the collar and making them sit in their vehicle.
The girl’s brother had also accompanied the Gardanibagh police team to Bokaro. Both he and Vivek were injured in the accidental firing and taken to a private hospital in Bokaro. Vivek, originally from Dhubadih in Koderma, resides in Bokaro Outhouse and sells fruits in Lakshmi Market. Sources say he is a friend of the kidnapped girl’s boyfriend.
Bihar Cops Tried to Flee, Nabbed During Vehicle Checks
Eyewitnesses reported that the Bihar Police personnel attempted to flee the scene after the firing. Jharkhand Police, alerted about the shooting, set up barricades and began checking vehicles on the road leading towards Bihar. Two Ertiga vehicles were intercepted during the operation, and it was then confirmed that the occupants were the Patna police team.
Based on this, all the Bihar police personnel involved in the incident were taken into custody.
Legal Action Initiated Against Patna Police
Jharkhand Police has announced that two separate FIRs will be lodged against the Bihar police team — one based on the statement of injured fruit vendor Vivek and another from the Bokaro police’s side. Chas Police have recorded Vivek’s statement as part of the investigation.
Questions have also been raised over procedural lapses. As per legal norms, any police team conducting raids or investigation in another state must seek prior written permission from the IG or DIG. However, Gardanibagh Police Station in-charge has claimed they had IG-level approval before proceeding to Jharkhand.
