Notorious Jharkhand gangster Sujit Sinha was killed in a police encounter in Jamtara district late on Sunday night after allegedly attempting to escape while being shifted from Sahibganj Divisional Jail to Dhanbad Divisional Jail, police said.
According to officials, the prison escort vehicle carrying Sinha reached Kusaidih More under Jamtara Town police station limits when one of its tyres developed a puncture.
During the halt, Sinha reportedly sought permission to use the toilet. Taking advantage of the situation, he allegedly snatched a firearm from one of the escort personnel and attempted to flee.
Police said Sinha opened fire on the escort team while escaping. The personnel initially warned him to surrender, but when he allegedly continued firing, the escort team retaliated in self-defence. Sinha sustained serious bullet injuries and died at the spot.
Following the encounter, the area was immediately cordoned off. Jamtara Superintendent of Police Shambhu Kumar Singh and other senior administrative officials rushed to the scene.
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A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team was called to examine the spot, and police said further legal proceedings would be initiated after the forensic investigation is completed.
Sinha, regarded as one of Jharkhand's most notorious gangsters, was earlier lodged at Medininagar Central Jail. In October 2025, he was shifted to Sahibganj Divisional Jail on security and administrative grounds after police and prison authorities expressed concern that he was allegedly operating his criminal network from inside the jail while lodged in Palamu.
According to police records, Sinha faced more than 60 criminal cases, including charges of murder, attempt to murder, extortion, levy collection, arson, offences under the Arms Act and organised crime.
Cases against him were registered in Ranchi, Palamu, Ramgarh, Latehar, Chatra, Hazaribagh, Dhanbad and several other districts. More than 20 cases were reportedly pending against him in Palamu alone.
Police said Sinha's criminal network extended across the coal belt region, where he allegedly used his gang to extort money from businessmen, contractors and other individuals. Investigations into the encounter are underway.
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