Patna: The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) and the Special Task Force (STF) of Bihar Police conducted coordinated raids at 25 locations across Patna and Nalanda on Saturday as part of a major crackdown on organised crime and alleged land mafia activities.
The operation targeted Sanjay Kumar, also known as Santosh Kumar Yadav or ‘Santosh Don’, along with members of his alleged criminal network. Searches were carried out at his residence in Khusrupur and at properties linked to his relatives and associates.
According to the EOU, documents relating to more than 75 land and residential properties were recovered during the searches. Officials estimated the value of these assets at more than Rs 13 crore.
More than Rs 27 lakh in cash, several vehicles and a large number of land transaction documents were also seized. An FIR has been registered at the EOU police station against Santosh Don and 26 other individuals.
Four accused — Rakesh Sahu, Ranjit Singh, Shashibhushan Kumar and Ravindra Kumar — were arrested during the operation.
Allegations of Coercive Land Acquisition
Investigators said Santosh Don is suspected of acquiring land through forged documentation, intimidation and criminal coercion.
According to the EOU, inquiries revealed that landowners were allegedly targeted through orchestrated road accidents and subsequent threats, enabling the gang to seize disputed properties.
Cases related to these allegations have been registered at Fatuha and Rahui police stations. Officials said Santosh has also been named in multiple cases involving extortion, robbery, kidnapping, attempted murder and violations of the Arms Act.
Police records indicate that 30 criminal cases have been registered against him across Patna and Nalanda districts.
Assets Linked to Santosh and Family Members
Investigators stated that before 2015, Santosh owned only seven katthas of ancestral land.
However, between 2017 and 2025, he and his family allegedly acquired more than five dozen movable and immovable assets valued at approximately Rs 11.50 crore.
The EOU identified 22 properties in Santosh’s name across Patna and Nalanda with a combined registered value of over Rs 4.43 crore.
These properties are located in villages including Imamganj, Sikandarpur, Tufanganj, Sukarbegchak, Katauna, Hardasbigha, Kasimpur, Bhuski, Chhotki Nawada and Baikatpur.
Officials further reported that:
- 23 immovable properties worth Rs 3.35 crore were registered in the name of his mother, Lalti Devi.
- Nine properties valued at Rs 1.30 crore were registered in the name of his wife, Anju Devi.
- Four properties worth Rs 83.45 lakh were found in the name of his mother-in-law, Mano Devi.
- Assets worth around Rs 1.15 crore were identified in the names of his brother Balmiki Yadav and his sister-in-law.
Properties Linked to Gang Associates
The investigation also identified 17 properties worth approximately Rs 1.79 crore allegedly linked to members of the gang.
Among those named by investigators are Mikku Kumar, Karmvari, Roshan Kumar, Ranjeet Singh, Bittu Kumar, Satyaprakash, Sanjeev Kumar and Dilip Kumar.
During searches at Santosh Don’s residence, officials recovered Rs 5.60 lakh in cash, property-related documents, investment records and vehicles including a Scorpio, a Fortuner and a Mahindra Jeep.
At the residence of Dilip Kumar, investigators seized Rs 15.50 lakh in cash and two land registration documents. Searches at Satyaprakash’s house yielded Rs 2 lakh in cash and 14 land registration documents.
Officials also recovered Rs 3.97 lakh in cash, 13 land registration documents and four agreement papers from the residence of Ranjeev Singh. A Scorpio vehicle was seized from the residence of Lalendra Kumar alias Narendra Kumar.
Raids Across Patna and Nalanda
The coordinated operation covered multiple locations in both districts.
Searches were conducted at premises linked to Sanjay alias Santosh Don and Balmiki Prasad in Khidarchak, Nalanda; Mikku Kumar, Pikku Kumar and Nikku Kumar in Pachrukhiya, Patna; and several other alleged associates across Khusrupur, Fatuha and neighbouring areas.
The EOU said the investigation remains ongoing and further action will be taken based on the evidence collected during the raids.
