Patna, June 13 (IANS) In a major coordinated crackdown on alleged illegal land transactions and arms smuggling, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) and the Patna STF conducted simultaneous raids across multiple locations in Patna and Nalanda districts on Saturday.

The operation targeted properties linked to alleged land mafia figure Sanjay Kumar, popularly known as Santosh Don, and his associates.

With assistance from the Nalanda police, the STF and EOU teams carried out raids at nearly 25 locations stretching from Khusrupur in Patna district to Pachasa and Khidarchak villages in Nalanda district.

The operation continued for several hours under heavy police deployment.

Investigators searched multiple premises associated with Sanjay Kumar alias Santosh Don, including his residence at Pachrukhia. He is the PACS President of Sukarbegchak Panchayat and the husband of the Block Pramukh.

Raids were also conducted at properties located in Jagmalbigha, Mustafapur and Chauda villages.

Simultaneously, police teams carried out searches at the residence of Nitish Kumar in Pachasa village and at the homes of road contractors Rajendra Yadav and Kanhaiya Yadav in Khidarchak village.

Officials said Kanhaiya Yadav and his brother were not present during the raid.

During the search operation, the investigating team seized a Scorpio vehicle along with several important documents and certificates.

Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal, DSP (Sadar) Biharsarif, Nalanda, confirmed that the raids were underway and stated that the Nalanda police were assisting the EOU and STF teams throughout the operation.

Family members of those being investigated denied involvement in illegal activities. Pratima Devi, wife of Narendra Kumar, claimed that her husband and brother‑in‑law were engaged only in road construction and plantation contracts and had no connection to land dealings. She said the police had been searching their home for several hours after arriving with orders from Patna.

According to preliminary information, law enforcement agencies had received intelligence inputs suggesting that the accused individuals were allegedly linked to a syndicate involved in illegal land transactions and arms smuggling.

Authorities are now scrutinising the seized documents and materials to trace financial links, property records and possible criminal networks.

A heavy police force remains deployed in the affected areas as a precautionary security measure, while investigators continue examining every aspect of the suspected racket.

–IANS

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