Patna: The main shooter, Tauseef alias Badshah, and his cousin Nishu Khan were arrested from a guest house in Kolkata along with two other associates in a joint operation by the Patna police team, Kolkata police and Bengal STF late on Saturday night for their alleged involvement in the killing of gangster Chandan Mishra (36), who was shot dead in a private hospital in the city.The other accused, identified as Harsh alias Harish Kumar and Bhim Kumar, are both residents of Digha police station area in Patna, police said. They helped Tauseef escape after the murder. The accused fled to West Bengal in a white SUV belonging to Nishu and were staying at a guesthouse in the Anandapur police station area of Kolkata, they added.They travelled to Kolkata via Gaya, Barhi and Ranchi. CCTV recordings captured a white SUV carrying five suspects, which proved crucial in tracing the path taken by the assailants after they committed the crime at the hospital.Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Kartikeya K Sharma, while addressing a press conference, said on Sunday that the investigation revealed the murder plot was planned at Nishu’s flat located at Samanpura, where all the accused gathered and executed the plan, with Tauseef as the primary executor. “The apartment, where the main shooter’s cousin lives, is behind the Paras HMRI Hospital. A raid was also conducted at his flat along with other places in Patna and other cities,” he said, adding that several people were questioned, technical inputs gathered, and based on the information, the arrests were made.“The main shooter Tauseef was surrounded in Kolkata, with commendable support from Kolkata Police and Kolkata STF, leading to the arrest of four people. The SUV was also seized by the police. Legal procedures have been initiated for their transit remand, and they will be brought here for further questioning,” the SSP said.A total of nine people were directly involved in the murder of gangster Mishra, who was receiving treatment at the hospital. The incident took place on July 17, when five shooters went inside room 209 and fired multiple shots. The victim, who was on parole, died during the treatment, he said.The SSP said just before the incident, Nishu was present at the spot, and his car was used in the escape of the accused. “We have all the evidence that he was involved in the crime. Harsh and Bhim are associates of Nishu, and they live with him. When Nishu was previously shot, they stayed with him as caretakers. They played a crucial role in helping Tauseef escape. All the accused are identified, and raids are going on for their arrest,” Sharma said.He added: “Further investigation is underway. Names of more people will come up, including those who provided weapons and logistic support to the accused. The weapons used in the murder have not been found yet. Four other shooters are still evading arrest. Notices have been pasted at the homes of the three, of which one, Tauseef, was arrested. Police will paste the notices at the house of the other two.”Tauseef has three cases registered against him under the Arms Act, NDPS, and attempt to murder, and he went to jail in 2023 (NDPS) and 2024 (Arms Act). His cousin Nishu, who is physically challenged, was booked for extortion and the Arms Act.The other shooters were identified as Monu Singh, Balwant Singh, Abhishek and Nilesh. The police suspected the murder of Mishra was carried out in a gangwar, with alleged involvement of Onkar Singh alias Sheru, a former friend-turned-foe. He is currently lodged in West Bengal’s Purulia district jail.
