Jamtara
Notorious Jharkhand gangster Sujit Sinha was killed in a police encounter near Shambhu Line Hotel at Supaidih village along the Sahibganj-Govindpur highway in Jamtara district on Sunday night, according to police sources.
The incident reportedly took place around 9.29 pm when Sinha was being shifted from Sahibganj jail to Dhanbad jail amid tight security arrangements.
According to preliminary information, the police convoy comprising four vehicles had left Sahibganj around 3 pm. During the journey, the prison van developed a puncture on the highway. While Sinha was being shifted to another vehicle, he allegedly sought permission to use the toilet.
Police sources said that after getting out of the vehicle, Sinha allegedly snatched a weapon from one of the policemen and opened fire while attempting to flee. The police retaliated, and Sinha sustained bullet injuries. He was subsequently declared dead by doctors who reached the spot.
Jamtara Superintendent of Police Shambhu Kumar Singh, along with senior police officials, rushed to the site following the incident. The area was cordoned off and a forensic team was called in to examine the scene. Police have launched a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the encounter.
Officials are expected to provide further details at a press conference.
Who was Sujit Sinha?
Sinha, originally from the Redma locality of Medininagar (Daltonganj) in Palamu district, was considered one of the prominent organised crime figures operating in Jharkhand.
Police records and investigative agencies had linked him to dozens of criminal cases, including murder, attempt to murder, extortion, levy collection, offences under the Arms Act, criminal conspiracy and organised crime.
His alleged network extended across several districts, including Palamu, Garhwa, Latehar, Ranchi, Dhanbad, Chatra, Ramgarh and Hazaribagh. He was accused of extorting levies from businesses and contractors associated with coal transportation, road construction, stone crushers and transport operations.
Sinha was earlier associated with the gang of late gangster Sushil Srivastava before reportedly establishing his own criminal network. Investigators had also alleged that he continued to operate his network while lodged in jail.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Jharkhand CID had investigated cases linked to Sinha, including incidents involving alleged arson and firing connected with coal transportation.
High-security jail transfer
Police had reportedly apprehended the possibility of an attempt by Sinha’s associates to facilitate his escape during the jail transfer. Security arrangements were therefore strengthened for the movement.
Sinha had earlier been shifted from Medininagar to Sahibganj jail on October 9, 2025.
Following Sunday’s incident, police intensified checking and barricading operations in the area. Traffic movement on the highway was reportedly affected for some time.
The police action is being described as a response to the alleged firing and escape attempt. A detailed investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events.
The killing is likely to have a significant impact on Sinha’s alleged criminal network, with police expected to intensify efforts to identify and act against his associates and dismantle the remaining network.
