Notorious Criminal Arrested in Sitamarhi Following Half-Encounter; Sought in High-Profile Murders

Sitamarhi: In a significant development highlighting the Bihar police’s intensified crackdown on crime, authorities have arrested notorious criminal Shantanu Kumar following a “half-encounter” in Sitamarhi. The arrest comes under the tenure of Home Minister Samrat Chaudhary, who has prioritized restoring law and order across the state.

The suspect, Shantanu Kumar, a resident of Bhorha village in Belsond police station area, had been evading law enforcement for over 18 months. He was wanted in connection with the murder of a temple priest and the killing of Jan Suraj leader Ravi Singh, among other serious criminal cases.

Half-Encounter at Chandauli Bus Stand

Acting on a tip-off, the Special Task Force (STF) and Sitamarhi district police traced Shantanu to Chandauli Bus Stand late Friday night. Upon being surrounded, the criminal opened fire on the police. In response, officers returned fire, wounding him. He was immediately admitted to a nearby hospital and subsequently referred to SKMCH, Muzaffarpur for specialized treatment, where he remains under police custody.

Authorities recovered a pistol and three live cartridges from the scene. Shantanu had been involved in multiple criminal cases under Belsond police station, including:

• Case 92/24: Murder of a temple priest and theft of idols
• Case 187/25: Murder of Ravi Singh
• Other charges including armed robbery and violations under the Arms Act

Background of Criminal Activities

In July 2024, Shantanu was implicated in the murder of a priest at Shri Ram-Janaki Math in Jafarpur, Belsond, during which idols were stolen. Two of his accomplices, Shekhar Kumar and Shibu Kumar, along with another accused, Saddam, had previously been apprehended, confessing their involvement and aiding in the recovery of the stolen idols.

Shantanu was also a prime suspect in the October 8, 2025, murder of Jan Suraj leader Ravi Singh, who was fatally shot near Bhatolia crematorium while traveling on a motorcycle with a companion.

This arrest marks a significant step in Bihar’s ongoing efforts to tackle organized crime and ensure public safety under the current administration.