PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, May 19: In a breakthrough in the high-profile Vikram Sharma murder case, Dehradun police intensified their crackdown on the absconding accused in Jamshedpur, carrying out attachment and seizure operations for the second consecutive day on Monday.
A team from Dalanwala Police Station, assisted by local police, conducted raids in the Jugsalai and Ulidih police station areas, targeting the residences and rented accommodations of the fugitives.
Houses and rented flats found deserted
Officials said most of the locations raided were found abandoned, with the accused allegedly fleeing along with their family members to evade arrest.
At the rented apartment of accused Vishal Singh on Gaushala Road in Jugsalai, police broke open the locked flat and found it nearly empty. Officials recovered only a mattress and a few minor belongings before sealing the premises.
Similar scenes were reported at the rented residence of Ashutosh Kumar Singh on RP Patel Road and at Jitendra Kumar Sahu’s house on Tank Road in Ulidih, both of which were found deserted.
Police preparing action in Lohardaga
Investigators said the absconding accused are frequently changing locations to avoid arrest, but search operations are continuing across multiple locations.
Police are now preparing for similar attachment proceedings in Lohardaga against another wanted accused, Ankit Kumar Verma, a resident of Tangratoli.
Earlier on Sunday, Dehradun police had also carried out a seizure operation at the residence of accused Akash Prasad in Bagbera.
Rs 1 lakh reward announced for absconding accused
Police have announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh each for all absconding accused in the case. Officials indicated that the reward amount could be increased if the accused are not arrested soon.
Vikram Sharma was shot dead in Dehradun mall
The case relates to the sensational murder of businessman Vikram Sharma, considered the mentor of the notorious Akhilesh Singh gang. Sharma was shot dead inside Silver City Mall in Dehradun on February 13 this year.
Following the murder, police arrested Yashraj Singh, Rajkumar Singh, and Mohit, all residents of Bagbera. However, several accused — including Vishal Singh, Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Jitendra Sahu, Akash Prasad, and Ankit Kumar Verma — are still absconding.
Police teams are continuing coordinated raids across Jharkhand and other states to trace and arrest the remaining accused.