THREE SUSPECTS NABBED IN BHOJPUR ENCOUNTER, TWO INJURED IN CHANDAN MISHRA MURDER CASE

THREE SUSPECTS NABBED IN BHOJPUR ENCOUNTER, TWO INJURED IN CHANDAN MISHRA MURDER CASE

22-JULY-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-----------------------------A dramatic early morning encounter in Bihar’s Bhojpur district has sent shockwaves through the region, as Bhojpur Police and the Special Task Force (STF) from Patna apprehended three notorious criminals linked to the high-profile murder of gangster Chandan Mishra in Patna’s Paras Hospital. The operation, which took place near Kathiya Road under the Bihiya police station area, resulted in two suspects sustaining gunshot injuries and one being arrested unharmed. The encounter, marked by intense gunfire, underscores the ongoing efforts of Bihar’s law enforcement to dismantle the criminal network behind Mishra’s assassination, revealing connections to organized crime, jail-based conspiracies, and alleged insider involvement at the hospital.

On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at approximately 5:45 AM, a joint team of Bhojpur Police and Patna STF acted on credible intelligence that three suspects involved in the Chandan Mishra murder case were hiding near Bihiya railway station, armed and planning to evade capture. The operation, conducted along the Bihiya-Kataya path near a river, saw the police cordon off the area to trap the suspects. Bhojpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Raj Kumar described the encounter as a significant breakthrough in the investigation, emphasizing the meticulous planning that ensured minimal collateral damage.

As the police called for the suspects to surrender, the criminals opened fire, targeting both the police and nearby villagers in a desperate bid to escape. In response, the police returned fire in self-defense, injuring two suspects—Balwant Kumar Singh and Raviranjn Kumar Singh—in their hands, legs, and thighs. The third suspect, Abhishek Kumar, was apprehended without injury. The swift and coordinated response by the police prevented a larger tragedy, though the gunfire caused panic in the surrounding area.

The injured suspects were rushed to Bihiya Hospital by 6:25 AM for initial treatment and later referred to a higher medical facility for advanced care. They remain under police custody, with treatment ongoing under strict supervision. The police recovered two pistols, one country-made katta, two magazines, and four cartridges from the suspects, along with other incriminating materials, further solidifying their involvement in criminal activities.

The three apprehended suspects have been identified as:

1.     Balwant Kumar Singh, aged 22, son of Jangbahadur Singh, resident of Liladharpur, Chakki police station, Buxar district.

2.     Raviranjn Kumar Singh, aged 20, son of Keshwar Singh, resident of Chakdahai, Bihiya police station, Bhojpur district.

3.     Abhishek Kumar, son of Gopal Prasad, resident of Pursiya, Chakki police station, Buxar district.

Initial interrogations revealed that all three were directly involved in the murder of Chandan Mishra at Paras Hospital on July 17, 2025. Balwant Kumar Singh, in particular, emerged as a key figure, allegedly playing a pivotal role in orchestrating the attack. Sources indicate that Balwant was in contact with Omkar Singh, alias Sheru Singh, a notorious gangster incarcerated in Purulia jail, West Bengal. Balwant is believed to have facilitated the operation by supplying 10 pistols to the shooters, including one Tausif, alias Badshah, and escorting five shooters to the hospital under Sheru Singh’s instructions.

Chandan Mishra, a dreaded gangster from Sonbarsa in Buxar’s Industrial police station area, was gunned down inside the ICU ward of Paras Hospital in Patna on July 17, 2025. The attack, carried out by five to six armed assailants, occurred while Mishra was recovering from fistula and laparoscopic surgery. The killers entered the private ward, shot him dead, and escaped with ease, raising serious questions about hospital security. CCTV footage captured the assailants’ faces, aiding the police in their investigation.

Mishra, serving a life sentence for the 2011 murder of a lime trader in Buxar, was out on a 15-day parole to arrange treatment for his father. However, he was admitted to Paras Hospital for his own medical procedure at the time of the attack. With over three dozen cases of murder, extortion, robbery, and Arms Act violations against him, Mishra’s killing is seen as a significant event in Bihar’s criminal underworld, likely driven by gang rivalries.

The murder prompted a robust response from Bihar’s law enforcement, with Patna Police, Buxar Police, and the STF working in tandem to track down the perpetrators. Earlier, on July 19, 2025, a joint operation with West Bengal STF led to the arrest of four shooters, including Tausif, alias Badshah, from Kolkata. Tausif was presented in Patna’s civil court on July 21, where he was granted a three-day police remand for further questioning. The other three suspects—Nishu Khan, Harsh, and Bhim—were sent to judicial custody at Beur jail.

The investigation has uncovered a complex conspiracy orchestrated from jails in Bihar and West Bengal. Sheru Singh, a former associate-turned-rival of Mishra, is suspected to be the mastermind, allegedly directing the operation from Purulia jail. Sources suggest that Sheru promised each shooter ₹5 lakh for the hit, leveraging his network to gather precise intelligence about Mishra’s whereabouts. Tausif, reportedly familiar with Paras Hospital’s layout, was a critical operative in the plot.

Additionally, Amit Singh, a criminal lodged in Gaya jail, has been implicated, with evidence suggesting a personal dispute with Mishra as a motive. Balwant Kumar Singh, identified as Amit’s associate, is believed to have executed the murder on his orders. The police are interrogating Amit Singh to uncover further details, while raids continue to apprehend remaining suspects.

The case took a controversial turn when Chandan Mishra’s father, Shrikant Mishra, filed an FIR against Paras Hospital’s administration and general surgeon Dr. Pintu Kumar Singh, alleging a conspiracy. Shrikant claimed that lapses in hospital security and suspicious actions by Dr. Singh facilitated the attack. Mishra was admitted on July 15, 2025, for surgery, with an initial discharge date of July 16. However, the discharge was postponed to July 17, when the attackers struck at 7:15 AM. The SIT is investigating potential insider involvement, scrutinizing hospital staff records and CCTV footage to determine how the assailants gained access to the ICU.

Bhojpur SP Raj Kumar hailed the encounter as a major blow to the criminal network, stating that it has dented the morale of organized crime syndicates in Bihar. The police have intensified raids across Bhojpur, Buxar, and Patna to apprehend remaining suspects, with heavy deployments ensuring continued vigilance. The SIT, led by senior officers, is analyzing CCTV footage, mobile call records, and forensic evidence to map the conspiracy’s full extent.

Additional Director General (ADG) Kundan Krishnan, overseeing the investigation, confirmed that the murder stemmed from a turf war, with Sheru Singh’s gang seeking to eliminate Mishra to assert dominance. The police are also identifying accomplices who provided logistical support, such as shelter and transportation, to the shooters. Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar reviewed the case on July 18, directing Patna IG Jitendra Rana and SSP Kartikey Sharma to expedite arrests and ensure a watertight case.

The Bhojpur encounter highlights Bihar’s ongoing battle against organized crime, where gang rivalries and jail-based conspiracies pose significant challenges. The audacity of Mishra’s murder in a high-security hospital ward has exposed vulnerabilities in institutional security, while the involvement of criminals like Sheru Singh and Amit Singh underscores the reach of criminal networks across state borders. The recovery of weapons and the arrests in Kolkata and Bhojpur demonstrate the police’s commitment to cracking down on such syndicates.

The encounter also sends a strong message to criminals that Bihar’s law enforcement is adopting a zero-tolerance approach. SP Raj Kumar emphasized that the operation was conducted within legal bounds, with the police acting in self-defense. The recovery of arms and the suspects’ confessions have provided critical leads, paving the way for further breakthroughs.

The Bhojpur encounter marks a significant milestone in the Chandan Mishra murder investigation, with the apprehension of Balwant Kumar Singh, Raviranjn Kumar Singh, and Abhishek Kumar bringing the police closer to unraveling the full conspiracy. The arrests in West Bengal, combined with ongoing interrogations of jail-based masterminds, highlight the complexity of the case. As the SIT continues its probe, the focus remains on apprehending remaining suspects, addressing hospital security lapses, and dismantling the criminal network. The operation reflects Bihar’s resolve to restore law and order, ensuring that justice is served in one of the state’s most sensational criminal cases.