Excise Department ASI Among Three Arrested for Armed Robbery in Bodhgaya

Gaya: An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) from the Excise Department has been arrested alongside two accomplices for allegedly orchestrating a robbery at a residence in Tika Bigha village, Bodhgaya. The incident, which occurred on June 24, was captured on CCTV footage, leading to the arrests. A fourth suspect remains at large.

Police have identified the prime accused as ASI Anjani Kumar. According to investigators, ASI, along with three associates—Deepak Kumar, Ajit Chaudhary and Dilip Kumar—arrived at the house of Chandan Kumar while he and his wife were away. The suspects, riding on two motorcycles, allegedly threatened the couple’s three children before assaulting them, breaking into a cupboard, and fleeing with cash and jewellery.

Following a formal complaint, Bodhgaya police launched an investigation under City Superintendent of Police Ramanand Kumar Kaushal and SDPO Saurav Jaiswal. Surveillance footage from the area confirmed the identities of the suspects, with the children later positively identifying the three men in custody.

In a late-night operation on Thursday, Inspector Manoj Kumar Singh’s team apprehended Anjani Kumar, Deepak and Ajit. Dilip Kumar remains absconding, and search operations are ongoing.

The three detained men were interrogated at the police station before being taken to court on Friday. Notably, Anjani Kumar was presented without handcuffs—a move that drew attention. Police clarified that, as a government employee, he was treated in accordance with legal procedures. The other two accused were handcuffed due to their criminal history and for security reasons. Speculation has arisen that the robbery may be linked to an earlier financial dispute.