Ranchi Police solve SI Anupam Kachhap murder: 6 diesel theft gang members arrested, 1 still at large

Ranchi Police have solved the murder case of Special Branch Sub-Inspector (SI) Anupam Kachhap, arresting six members of a diesel theft gang involved in the crime. Those detained include Manohar Kumar Singh alias Bhola Singh, Sanjay Singh, Gautam Yadav, Sugrim Singh, Abhishek Mahato, and Rajendra Mahato, who was already in custody for a different case. Another suspect, Vinod Mahato, is still at large. Law enforcement officials recovered four mobile phones, a 7.65 mm pistol, two live rounds, and a Bolero pickup van used by the suspects.

The incident occurred on August 2. SI Kachhap was returning from India Hotel on his motorcycle when he was ambushed on the Ring Road near Sangrampur village, close to Tridev Hotel. According to SSP Chandan Kumar Sinha, Kachhap was fatally shot by unidentified assailants approximately 200 meters from Tridev Hotel. His sister-in-law, Roma Tirkey, filed a case against unknown attackers at Kanke Police Station, sparking an extensive investigation.

An SIT was immediately formed under Rural SP Sumit Agarwal’s supervision, with a team comprising DSP Amar Pandey, Kanke Police Station officials, and district officers. Their efforts included forensic analysis, videography, and photography at the crime scene. The investigation initially centered on SI Kachhap’s recent professional work, which included conducting raids on illegal liquor operations in Hazaribagh and working with the Special Branch on organized crime cases. In their initial stages, investigators interrogated 13 people who had attended a birthday party with Kachhap earlier that evening, but no direct leads emerged.

Following a lack of conclusive evidence, the SIT expanded its focus to local diesel theft incidents, which had been increasingly reported along the Ring Road. Investigators found that a diesel theft gang frequently siphoned fuel from parked trucks and tankers in the area. During questioning, Sanjay Singh, one of the detainees, confessed, revealing that SI Kachhap encountered the gang while they were attempting to steal diesel. Singh stated that Kachhap confronted them, calling out “thief,” which led the gang to panic. Seeing a threat, the gang shot Kachhap at close range with a handgun to avoid exposure.

After the murder, the gang quickly fled the scene in a Bolero pickup van, later returning to steal additional diesel from a truck near BIT Nevari. The stolen fuel was sold to Abhishek Mahato, who operates a fuel resale shop near Sukurhutu Ring Road. This resale activity and eyewitnesses contributed to tracing the gang's movements. Based on new leads, Sanjay Singh and Sugrim Singh were detained on November 10, which led to the arrest of additional suspects involved in the murder and diesel theft network. Further police efforts are underway to capture Vinod Mahato, the remaining suspect who escaped. Investigations are ongoing to explore additional connections and criminal activities linked to this organized theft gang, including their regional operations and other reported incidents.