Patna: The Special Task Force (STF) and Patna Police have arrested 17 alleged members of a land mafia group accused of attempting to forcibly occupy a disputed 37-kattha plot valued at around Rs 37 crore near Bairiya Bus Stand in Patna.
The land is located directly opposite the office of DSP (Sadar-2) Ranjan Kumar. Police said the operation was launched after receiving intelligence about a possible violent confrontation during the alleged takeover.
Weapons and Vehicles Seized
During the operation, police recovered three country-made pistols, four live cartridges and multiple vehicles allegedly used by the accused.
The seized vehicles include a black Scorpio, a white Swift Dzire and a white XUV-500. Officers also confiscated 15 touchscreen mobile phones and one keypad mobile phone.
All recovered items have been seized for further investigation.
Arrests Made in Two Phases
According to police, STF personnel and Ramkrishna Nagar police surrounded the area after receiving intelligence inputs about the planned land occupation.
Ten suspects were arrested at the scene during the initial operation. Based on information gathered during interrogation, police later arrested seven more accused during follow-up raids conducted at different locations across Patna.
Accused Identified
The arrested individuals have been identified as Vikas Kumar of Punpun; Md. Alam of Adalatganj; Amit Kumar and Aman Kumar of Naubatpur; Anand Kumar of Rohtas; Ajit Kumar and Rohit Kumar of Dulhin Bazar; Rajveer Kumar Singh of Nalanda; Suman Kumar of Dhanbad; Nilesh Kumar of Beur; Vishal Kumar and Gautam Kumar of Anisabad; and Rohit, Bittu, Manikant, Sonu and Rohit Kumar of Maner.
Police are verifying the criminal backgrounds of those arrested.
Alleged Mastermind Remains Absconding
Police identified the alleged mastermind as Shailesh Mukhiya, a resident of Dighwara in Saran district. Officials said he escaped before the arrests and remains at large.
Investigators alleged that the accused had assembled under his instructions with firearms to take possession of the disputed property. Raids are continuing in Patna and Saran to trace and arrest him.
Land Ownership Under Investigation
City SP (East) Shailaja said the accused had allegedly persuaded a woman to execute an agreement in connection with the disputed land in exchange for a relatively small amount of money.
She said investigators are examining whether the woman has legal ownership of the property and are scientifically verifying all documents related to the land and the seized vehicles.
Property Valued at Around Rs 37 Crore
According to local property dealers cited by police, land along the main road near Bairiya Bus Stand commands a market value of about Rs 1 crore per kattha.
Based on this estimate, the 37-kattha plot targeted in the alleged land grab is valued at approximately Rs 37 crore. Police said the high value of the property is believed to have been a key factor behind the attempted occupation.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials said further arrests are possible as efforts continue to locate the absconding accused.
