Marandi seeks NIA probe into nexus between ex-DGP and gangster

Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi called for an NIA investigation into alleged "deep and troubling nexus" between former Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta and jailed gangster Sujit Sinha's organised criminal syndicate. In a letter to Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) Sadanand Date on Sunday, Marandi claimed that the Sujit Sinha group has been involved in a crimes including extortion targeting contractors, transporters, doctors, lawyers and businesspersons, along with illegal weapons trade. He claimed that the syndicate, according to Ranchi police, have acquired arms dropped by drones in Punjab's Moga district, with suspected links to Pakistan.

Marandi said Gupta’s elevation as DGP during the previous government was the result of a “give and take arrangement”. He alleged that the former police chief was brought in to protect illegal operations involving sand, coal, stone and liquor. He also referred to earlier controversies linked to Gupta, including an alleged degree scandal at Magadh University.He linked the alleged fake encounter of gangster Aman Sahu to the same turf battle. Marandi said investigators recovered WhatsApp messages between Gupta and Sujit Sinha’s wife, Riya Sinha, which pointed to financial dealings connected to the encounter and extortion.

He alleged that even after such information surfaced, the Chief Minister did not act quickly, and that Gupta was removed only after internal disagreements related to illegal earnings. Marandi said Riya Sinha told investigators that Sujit Sinha demanded extortion from jail and issued threats through Prince Khan. Police arrested her and others on 13 October and recovered three pistols, seven magazines, thirteen cartridges, a car and mobile phones.