Darbhanga/Patna: Darbhanga police have arrested five people, including BJP city unit general secretary Vishal Mahaseth alias Vicky, in connection with the robbery of a Bengal-based bullion trader on November 7. Police have also recovered 56 silver bars weighing 62.040 kg, with an estimated value of Rs 1.39 crore.
Addressing a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jagunath Reddy Jalareddy said the robbery was allegedly planned with the help of the trader’s driver, Kaushik, who had informed his associates about the businessman’s arrival in Darbhanga.
The recovered silver bars, seized from two cars, have been valued at approximately Rs 1,39,25,000.
The five arrested accused have been identified as Chhotu Kumar Yadav (29), Vishal Mahaseth alias Vicky (35), Dheeraj Soni, Santosh Kumar Sah (63) and Abhishek Bandra (23).
Driver Allegedly Shared Trader’s Travel Details
According to the police, the robbery took place on the night of November 7, when the bullion trader arrived in Darbhanga in a red Duster car registered in West Bengal, accompanied by his driver, Kaushik.
After reaching Darbhanga, the driver allegedly alerted his associates. Five men riding two motorcycles subsequently intercepted the vehicle on the Sobhan-Ekmi road and looted a bag containing silver bars and cash.
Police said their investigation indicated that the driver was allegedly involved in the conspiracy and had provided information about the trader’s arrival and movements.
Robbery Plan Allegedly Hatched At Rambagh Restaurant
During interrogation, arrested accused Chhotu Kumar Yadav allegedly told police that the robbery plan had been finalised a few days earlier at Kushal Restaurant in Rambagh, owned by Nikki Kumar.
According to the police account, several people, including Nikki Kumar, Chandan Rai, Suman Saurabh, Maniya Purve, Rahul, Ravindra Kumar alias Palo and Vishal Mahaseth alias Vicky, were present during the meeting.
Chhotu allegedly told investigators that Kaushik, the trader’s driver, was his friend and had agreed to assist the gang. The plan reportedly included injuring the driver during the robbery to avoid suspicion about his alleged involvement.
Acting on information provided by Chhotu, police raided the restaurant. Nikki Kumar was reportedly not present, but his father, Santosh Kumar Sah, was found there and taken into custody for questioning.
सिमरी थाना अंतर्गत घटित घटना के संबंध में।
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#BiharPolice #Darbhangapolice #HainTaiyarHum https://t.co/M39OodyOOE— Darbhanga Police (@DarbhangaPolice) November 10, 2026
Rs 5.94 Lakh Cash Recovered From Accused’s House
Police said a search of Chhotu Yadav’s residence led to the recovery of Rs 5,94,100 from a drawer in a dressing table.
The cash was reportedly wrapped in a black plastic bag and consisted of 1,188 notes of Rs 500 and one Rs 100 note.
According to the police, Chhotu admitted during questioning that the money was his share of the robbery proceeds. A mobile phone was also seized from his possession.
56 Silver Bars Recovered From Two Cars
Following Chhotu’s disclosures, police searched vehicles parked on a vacant plot near Kushal Restaurant in Rambagh.
The first car contained 34 silver bars of different sizes, weighing 24.125 kg. A search of another car parked at the same location led to the recovery of 22 additional silver bars weighing 37.915 kg.
The combined weight of the recovered silver was 62.040 kg.
Police also seized a Maruti Swift after noticing discrepancies in its registration number. Verification using a handheld device reportedly revealed that the number displayed on the vehicle did not match its official registration details.
FIR Names 12 Accused; Raids Underway
Police have named 12 people in connection with the robbery. They are Chhotu Yadav, Chandan Rai, Suman Saurabh alias Suman, Saurabh Anand alias Sarve, Rahul, Nikki Sah, Ravindra Kumar alias Palo, Vishal Mahaseth alias Vicky, Dheeraj Soni, Santosh Kumar Sah, Tejas Abhishek Chandra and Kaushik.
Five of them have been arrested, while raids are underway to apprehend the remaining accused.
The case has been registered under Sections 310(2), 311, 317(3), 336(3), 338, 61(2) and 109(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 27 of the Arms Act.
BJP Leader Among Those Arrested
Vishal Mahaseth alias Vicky, one of the five arrested, has been identified in the supplied information as the general secretary of the BJP’s Darbhanga city unit. A photograph of him with the BJP state president has also surfaced.
His alleged involvement in the robbery has brought the case into the political spotlight. However, the allegations against all the accused remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
