Patna Auto Driver Shot Dead Over Rs 5 Lakh Dispute in Stolen Goods Share; 8 Rocky Gang Members Arrested
Patna: The murder of auto driver Shashi near Dhanuki Mor in Agamkuan has been solved by Patna Police. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Avkash Kumar, on Saturday, revealed that the killing was the result of a dispute within a criminal gang over the distribution of stolen goods worth Rs 5 lakh.
The SSP said that Anil Mahato, the gang leader and a resident of Alamganj, shot Shashi following an internal conflict regarding the division of loot. Shashi was also a member of the same gang, and tensions had escalated after he allegedly withheld money from a major theft operation.
8 Rocky Gang Members Nabbed, Goods Worth Rs 30 Lakh Recovered
In a major crackdown, police have arrested eight members of the Rocky Gang, all of whom work as auto-rickshaw drivers. The gang was actively involved in house break-ins and thefts across Patna and surrounding districts over the last two to three months.
Police recovered stolen items worth approximately Rs 30 lakh, including:
- 162 grams of gold jewellery
- 4.5 kg of silver jewellery
- 12 mobile phones
- A motorcycle and helmet
- 3 pistols, 4 magazines, 12 live cartridges
- Internet dongles
Gang Conducted Daytime Recce Using Autos
According to SSP Kumar, the gang used auto-rickshaws to scout potential targets during the day, pretending to be ordinary drivers. Once a target was finalized, they would meticulously plan and execute the theft. Their modus operandi linked them to 12 theft cases since March, with total stolen goods amounting to over Rs 80 lakh.
Interrogation and Further Investigation Underway
During initial questioning, gang leader Anil Mahato confessed that he shot Shashi due to repeated disputes over the unpaid share of the loot. “Shashi was not giving me my share despite several requests. That’s why I killed him,” Mahato reportedly told police.
Police have informed multiple police stations in Patna and nearby districts about the arrests. Officials indicated that further interrogation will be conducted after taking the accused on remand, especially if their involvement surfaces in other pending cases.
