Patna: In a significant breakthrough, Patna Police and the Special Task Force (STF) arrested four men, including a notorious criminal, in connection with a ₹50 lakh extortion and death threat case involving a Merchant Navy captain. The accused allegedly threatened to kill the captain if he failed to pay the demanded amount.
The arrest was made near JP Ganga Path following a coordinated operation by Digha Police and the STF after a case was registered at Digha police station. The arrested individuals have been identified as Shatrughan Kumar alias Bheem, Pankaj Kumar, Vinod Kumar alias Bilayati, and Lallu Kumar. Police also seized a Swift Dzire car in which the four were travelling at the time of arrest.
Extortion Threats Spark Fear and Halt Construction
According to the police, the Merchant Navy captain, a resident of Rahmatnagar Compound in Digha, received the extortion demand on May 13 while overseeing the construction of a market near Digha Haat. Two days later, on May 15, the accused reportedly arrived at the captain’s home and issued dire threats, saying, “The more complaints you file, the more bullets you will receive. No one will be able to save you.”
The miscreants also threatened the builder and site supervisor, demanding the captain’s mobile number. Their threats created a climate of fear, forcing labourers to abandon the site and bringing the construction project to a standstill.
Long Criminal Histories of the Accused
Police confirmed that all four accused have extensive criminal records involving murder, robbery, dacoity, extortion, and violations under the Arms Act.
- Shatrughan Kumar alias Bheem, a resident of Patipul in Digha, was previously involved in a Bandhan Bank robbery in Rajivnagar six years ago. He also has seven other cases registered across Patliputra, Parsa, and Digha police stations.
- Pankaj Kumar, also from Digha, is named in six cases registered at Shastrinagar, Kaler (Arwal), Patna GRP, and Digha.
- Vinod Kumar alias Bilayati, a resident of Kadamkuan, has six criminal cases against him.
- Lallu Kumar from Digha is facing five cases, and police sources say his father was murdered nine years ago.
Police Statement
Speaking on the operation, SDPO-2, who is currently in charge of law and order, confirmed the arrest and said, “All four individuals are history-sheeters with serious charges against them. They were arrested following strong surveillance and swift action.”
