Patna: In a major breakthrough for law enforcement in Bihar, the Special Task Force (STF) has arrested two high-profile fugitives in separate operations, including one of Purnia district’s top-10 most-wanted criminals and a Maharashtra police suspect involved in economic crimes.
Top-10 listed criminal Honey Singh arrested in Purnia
Honey Singh, a resident of Dhima Pokhar village in the Banmankhi police station area of Purnia district, was apprehended on July 1 following months of evasion. He had been on the run since November 2024, when a serious case under Section 309(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered against him (case number 429/24). In addition, he faces three more cases related to robbery, armed assault and violations of the Arms Act, filed at Banmankhi and Sarsi police stations.
Honey had been listed among Purnia’s top-10 wanted criminals, with a reward of Rs 25,000 offered for information leading to his arrest. Acting on specific intelligence, an STF team launched a pre-dawn raid in Banmankhi, successfully apprehending Singh and placing him in judicial custody under heightened security.
Economic fraud suspect arrested in Patna
In a separate operation on June 30, the STF arrested Saifi, also known as Mohammad Saif, from the Ramakrishnanagar area of Patna. Saif was wanted by the Nayanagar police in Thane, Maharashtra, in connection with a fraud case (FIR no. 06/25) under Section 103(1) of the BNS — a provision generally linked to financial fraud and forgery involving fake documentation.
Originally from Isapur in Phulwarisharif, Saif had allegedly been operating in Mumbai for a significant period. He was traced to a rented accommodation in Patna, and the STF has now initiated proceedings for his transit remand after informing Maharashtra police.
STF’s growing footprint in criminal crackdowns
Senior police officials have hailed the dual arrests as a significant blow to criminal networks. “STF teams are working relentlessly to dismantle organised crime using technical surveillance, local intelligence and inter-state cooperation,” an official said.
