In a swift and clinically executed operation, the Dumka police have successfully cracked an armed dacoity case registered under Taljhari police station with the arrest of two seasoned criminals and the recovery of stolen silver ornaments. The breakthrough dismantled an active criminal gang operating across regional boundaries. Following a targeted manhunt orchestrated by a special investigation team under the leadership of Jarmundi Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Naval Kishore Singh, the police apprehended the accused individuals, identified as Pradeep Hazra and Sanjay Rai, both residents of the Saraiyahat police station area in Dumka district.
The case traces back to February 21, 2026, when an armed gang of eight to nine unidentified miscreants forcefully barged into the house of Shyam Sundar Sah in Chandanpahari Sahara village under the Taljhari police station jurisdiction. The criminals held the family hostage at pistol-point, executing a brazen dacoity before fleeing the spot. Taking immediate cognizance of the high-profile crime, the Superintendent of Police, Dumka, constituted a high-level special raid team to track down the culprits. Utilizing a blend of rigorous ground intelligence and technical surveillance, the special branch pinpointed the whereabouts of the suspects, leading to their subsequent arrest.
A deeper look into their background exposed a long criminal history, particularly for Sanjay Rai, who carries past involvements in multiple heinous offenses. Rai was previously booked under Case Number 60/2025 at the Saraiyahat police station involving the Arms Act, and Case Number 79/2023 at the Hansdiha police station under sections concerning dacoity and receiving stolen property. The successful operation featured a well-coordinated team comprising Jarmundi SDPO Naval Kishore Singh, Hansdiha Circle Inspector Priyanka Anand, Taljhari Station House Officer and Case Investigator Sangam Pathak, along with the SHOs of Hansdiha, Saraiyahat, and Jama police stations, backed by the Taljhari police reserve guard.
