Prime accused in Himanshu Singh murder case surrenders

Pioneer News Service

Jamshedpur

In a significant development in the high-profile Himanshu Singh murder case, Vishwanath Mandal, alias Bodra, the prime accused carrying a reward of ₹2 lakh, surrendered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court at the Jamshedpur Civil Court complex on Wednesday, ending weeks of intensive police efforts to trace him.

The surrender marks a major breakthrough in the sensational murder case that had sparked widespread public outrage and led to an extensive crackdown by the East Singhbhum Police.

According to police sources, Vishwanath Mandal is the principal accused in the murder of Himanshu Singh, who was shot dead outside DD Bar in Bistupur. Following the incident, a case was registered against him under several stringent provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for murder and other serious offences.

After the murder, the accused remained on the run for an extended period, prompting the district police to launch an intensive manhunt. Multiple police teams conducted raids at several suspected hideouts in and outside the district, but the accused managed to evade arrest.

Considering the gravity of the case and the prolonged absconding of the accused, the East Singhbhum Police announced a cash reward of ₹2 lakh for any information leading to his arrest.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was also constituted to trace the fugitive. The office of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) had appealed to the public to share any information regarding Vishwanath Mandal’s whereabouts, assuring complete confidentiality of the informant’s identity.

Instead of being apprehended by the police, Vishwanath Mandal appeared before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and voluntarily surrendered. Following the legal formalities, the court remanded him to judicial custody.

Police officials said the surrender would facilitate further legal proceedings and strengthen the ongoing investigation into the murder case.

Investigating officers are expected to move the court seeking police remand of the accused for custodial interrogation, if required, to gather further evidence and establish the sequence of events surrounding the murder.

Officials believe the questioning of the prime accused could provide crucial leads regarding the planning and execution of the crime, as well as the possible involvement of other individuals.

Police maintained that the investigation is far from over and that several aspects of the case are still under scrutiny. Authorities said evidence is being examined, statements are being recorded, and legal action against all those found involved will continue in accordance with the law.