Patna: Three men have been detained in Kolkata in connection with the murder of gangster Chandan Mishra, who was shot dead inside Paras Hospital in Patna on July 17. According to ADG Kundan Krishnan, the arrests were made by a joint team of the Bihar and West Bengal Special Task Forces (STF) from New Town, Kolkata.
The prime suspect behind the contract killing is Omkar Singh, alias Sheru Singh, a known gang leader currently lodged in Purulia jail, West Bengal. Investigators believe that Sheru orchestrated the hit from jail, allegedly offering Rs10 lakh to a shooter identified as Tausif.
Sources suggest that Sheru and Tausif became acquainted while imprisoned at Beur jail in Patna. Tausif was released a few months ago and reportedly received instructions directly from Sheru via communication from inside Purulia jail.
The planning of the murder allegedly began within the confines of a Bihar jail. Tausif and other gang members reached Patna’s Samanpura area three days before the killing and took refuge in an apartment near Paras Hospital. Police suspect that a local criminal helped arrange the hideout. The assailants reportedly conducted reconnaissance of the hospital daily in the lead-up to the attack.
Investigators have also found that Tausif had prior familiarity with some hospital staff, stemming from a recent stay when a friend was admitted there. As a result, several employees of Paras Hospital are now under scrutiny. Police questioned multiple staff members on Friday and have requested the hospital administration to provide a list of personnel assigned to police security.
Chandan Mishra, a notorious figure from Buxar, was out on parole from July 3 for the treatment of his ailing father. He was due to return to Beur jail by July 18. CCTV footage revealed that two of the five attackers had visited Chandan’s residence in Sonvarsha before the killing.
On the day of the incident, five armed assailants entered room 209 of Paras Hospital and shot Chandan multiple times. His attendant, Durgesh Pathak, sustained injuries during the attack and alleged that hospital staff took nearly 15 minutes to respond.
A wider police crackdown is underway. Raids have been conducted in Patna, Ara, Buxar, Gaya, and parts of Jharkhand. So far, at least eight suspects have been detained, with two released on bond. Six individuals accused of sheltering the attackers, arranging weapons and vehicles, are being closely interrogated.
Tausif reportedly fled to Gaya after the murder, dropping his sister at her in-laws’ house and using her phone to make calls before disappearing. Police are questioning his family members and associates.
Two FIRs have been registered at Shastrinagar police station. One, filed by Chandan’s father Mantu Mishra, alleges negligence by Dr Pintu and Paras Hospital staff, claiming Chandan’s discharge was deliberately delayed by a day. He has named Tausif, Balwant Singh of Buxar, and Monu as co-accused. The second FIR is based on the statement of Durgesh Pathak.
