In an encounter between police and notorious criminals in the Maner police station area of Patna, the capital of Bihar, the main accused in a jewellery robbery and shooting incident, Nitish Kumar, was injured in police retaliatory fire. The encounter took place along the banks of the Ganga river in the Ratan Tola–Sadikpur area while police were conducting a raid to arrest the accused.

According to the police, the criminals opened indiscriminate fire as soon as they spotted the police team during the raid. Maner Station House Officer Rajnish Kumar and several other policemen narrowly escaped the sudden firing. The police then retaliated in self-defence, during which one of the criminals was shot in the leg.

The injured accused has been identified as Nitish Kumar, son of Subhash Rai, a resident of Chaurasi village under Suar Marwa panchayat in the Maner police station area. He was arrested from the spot and immediately admitted to a hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. Police said Nitish has been involved in criminal activities for a long time.

Two other associates of Nitish managed to flee the spot during the encounter. Police have identified them and are conducting continuous raids at possible hideouts to arrest them. Officials claimed that the absconding accused would be arrested soon.

Notably, on January 9, three armed assailants shot and seriously injured shop owner Sanjay Soni during a robbery at Ganpati Jewellers on Basti Road in Maner. After the incident, the accused fled, leaving behind their motorcycle at the scene. Investigation later revealed that the motorcycle used in the crime had been stolen from the Rajiv Nagar police station area.

Soon after receiving information about the encounter, Patna West City SP Bhanu Pratap Singh and Danapur DSP-2 Amarendra Kumar Jha reached the spot and inspected the site. The City SP said a special team had been formed to arrest the criminals.

“We had received information that the accused were hiding along the banks of the Ganga river. During the raid, the criminals opened fire on the police team. In the retaliatory action, Nitish Kumar was shot in the leg. Two other accused are absconding and efforts are on to nab them,” said Patna West City SP Bhanu Pratap Singh.