Patna, April 7 (IANS) In a major breakthrough, the Gaya Police have arrested notorious criminal Mohan Manjhi, who was carrying a bounty of Rs 50,000 on Tuesday.

His accomplice, Sonu Manjhi, was also apprehended during the operation. Both had been absconding for a long period.

Mohan Manjhi is accused of multiple serious cases, including murder, extortion, and violations of the Arms Act.

Dharmendra Bharti, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) 2 of Gaya Sadar, described the arrest as a significant success in their ongoing crackdown on criminal elements in the district.

Acting on directives from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), police teams had been conducting an intensive search and verification drive across the district.

During this operation, authorities received confidential information that the accused duo had returned from Kolkata and were heading towards the Sarbadaha block in the district.

Based on this input, police teams launched a targeted operation near the Bodh Gaya intersection.

When signaled to stop, both accused attempted to flee; however, they were chased down and successfully apprehended by the police.

Following their arrest, both accused were taken into custody and interrogated.

During questioning, they confessed to their involvement in the fatal shooting of a youth last year.

“Four other accused in the case had already been arrested earlier, while Mohan Manjhi and Sonu Manjhi had been on the run,” Bharti said.

“Several serious cases are registered against Mohan Manjhi, and police are continuing raids to nab other absconding accused linked to the case. The Mohan Manjhi gang was also involved in arms smuggling in the region,” Bharti said.

Legal procedures are currently underway to send both arrested individuals to judicial custody.

“Both the accused were produced in the district court on Tuesday, which sent them to judicial custody,” he said.

The police reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order and warned that strict action will continue against criminals operating in the region.

–IANS

ajk/dan