Patna: The Bihar government has transferred the investigation into a high-profile land dispute and firing case in Gopalganj district to the Crime Investigation Department (CID), citing the seriousness of the allegations and the political sensitivity surrounding the matter.
The case, registered at Kuchaikote police station, has attracted widespread attention after the names of JD(U) MLA Amarendra Kumar Pandey, popularly known as Pappu Pandey, his brother Satish Pandey, chartered accountant Rahul Tiwari and several others surfaced during the investigation.
FIR Centres On 16-Acre Land Dispute
According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged on April 1 by Jitendra Kumar Rai, the dispute concerns a parcel of land measuring approximately 16 acres and 93 decimals in Belwa village.
Rai alleged that when he visited the site to inspect the property, individuals present there attempted to pressure him into transferring the land in their names. When he refused, they allegedly tried to break the locks of a room on the premises and forcibly take possession of the property.
The complaint further alleges that gunfire was exchanged during the confrontation, creating panic in the area.
Arrests Made, One Accused Still Absconding
Police have so far arrested Bhola Pandey alias Rakesh Pandey, Guddu Kumar, Deepak Kumar and Nitish Kumar in connection with the case.
Rahul Tiwari, another accused named in the FIR, remains absconding. Police have conducted multiple raids in an attempt to trace him but have yet to make an arrest.
MLA Rejects Allegations
The FIR names Pappu Pandey and his brother Satish Pandey as part of what the complainant described as a larger conspiracy behind the alleged attempt to seize the land.
However, the MLA’s camp has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated and part of a conspiracy to damage his reputation.
Supreme Court Grants Interim Relief
In a significant development, the Supreme Court has granted interim protection to Pappu Pandey in the case.
The court has stayed coercive action against the MLA and directed the Patna High Court to hear and decide his petition seeking quashing of the FIR on a priority basis.
As a result, immediate legal proceedings against him have effectively been paused pending further judicial consideration.
CID Team Expected In Gopalganj
With the case now in CID hands, investigators are expected to examine all aspects of the dispute, including the ownership claims, allegations of attempted land grabbing, the firing incident and the alleged conspiracy angle.
Sources said a CID team is likely to reach Gopalganj shortly to begin its inquiry. However, local police are yet to formally transfer all case records and documents to the agency.
The transfer of the case to the CID has intensified discussions within Bihar’s political and administrative circles.
