Bihar Police shoot 2 suspects in Rs 50-lakh robbery

In a major breakthrough in the investigation of a high-profile robbery case, police shot and arrested two alleged criminals during an encounter in Gaya district here on Monday night. The accused were wanted in connection with the robbery of jewellery and cash worth around `50 lakh. Both sustained bullet injuries to their legs and are currently undergoing treatment.

According to Gaya Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sushil Kumar, police received information around midnight on Monday that criminals linked to the Gurua robbery case were planning another crime. Acting on the tip-off, a police team laid a trap and conducted a raid near the Amas police station area.

During the operation, the suspects were surrounded and asked to surrender, but they allegedly opened fire on the police team.

In self-defence, the police retaliated, injuring two of the accused in their legs.

While three other criminals managed to escape under the cover of darkness, and efforts are underway to apprehend them. One of the injured accused has been identified as Sujit Chaudhary, the alleged mastermind of the robbery, who suffered three bullet wounds in both legs. The second injured criminal also sustained a bullet injury. Both have been admitted to Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital, Gaya, where they are receiving treatment.

Police said the accused have confessed to their involvement in the Gurua market robbery. Sujit Chaudhary and Shravan Mallah, both residents of the Amas police station area, have been named in the case.

Jewellery suspected to be linked to the robbery was also recovered during the operation, although officials have not yet confirmed the exact value of the recovered items. The robbery had taken place on May 27, at around 6:30 pm in Gurua, Gaya district. Four armed criminals allegedly shot local jeweller Prabhakar Barnwal and fled with jewellery worth approximately Rs 45 lakh and cash amounting to Rs 5 lakh.