Patna, April 25: In a deeply alarming case of police misconduct in Bihar, four personnel of the Nawada Excise Department — including two Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) — were arrested on Friday, April 25, 2025, by the Jamui district police on charges of kidnapping and extortion. The accused allegedly detained three individuals during a routine vehicle check and demanded Rs 5 lakh for their release, ultimately accepting Rs 1.5 lakh as ransom. The arrested cash was recovered from the residence of one of the accused ASIs.

Who Are the Accused and What Did They Do?

The four arrested individuals are ASI Sujit Kumar, in-charge of the Kauakol check-post; ASI Dilip Kumar; and two Home Guard jawans posted at the Pakribarawan Excise Police Station in Nawada district. All four were personnel of the Nawada Excise Department who abused their official positions to extort money from civilians.

The incident unfolded on Thursday night when excise officials intercepted a Creta SUV at Mahuliya Tand under the Kauakol police station area during a vehicle checking drive. The three occupants of the car were allegedly found in an intoxicated state and were taken to the Pakribarawan Excise Police Station.

How the Extortion Was Uncovered

One of the detainees, Santosh Kumar, managed to contact his family by phone, informing them that he had been kidnapped and demanding they bring Rs 5 lakh to Nawada for his release. His brother, Pintu Kumar of Narwada village in Jamui district, promptly filed a written complaint at the Jamui Nagar Police Station, alleging abduction.

The family arrived in Nawada with cash on Friday. According to the complaint, Rs 1.5 lakh was paid directly at the Pakribarawan Excise Police Station in exchange for the release of the Creta vehicle and the detainees. This brazen transaction within the police station premises underscores the audacity of the accused.

Swift Action by Jamui Police

Acting swiftly on the complaint, the Jamui City Police registered Case No. 193/26 and launched a full-scale investigation. During subsequent raids, the police recovered the Rs 1.5 lakh ransom amount from the residence of ASI Dilip Kumar. The Creta car was also seized as material evidence in the case.

All four accused were subsequently arrested and brought to the Jamui police station for further questioning. The SHO of Jamui Nagar Police Station confirmed the arrests on Saturday, calling it a matter of serious concern for departmental accountability.

Broader Implications: A Pattern of Police Misconduct in Bihar?

This incident is not an isolated aberration. Bihar has witnessed multiple cases in recent years where police and excise officials have been implicated in extortion, illegal detention, and abuse of power. Critics argue that systemic weaknesses in oversight mechanisms — particularly within excise and auxiliary police forces — create conditions for such misconduct to thrive.

The use of Home Guard jawans in law enforcement roles, often with limited training and accountability, has been flagged by civil society groups as a structural vulnerability. This case adds to growing calls for stricter internal vigilance, surprise audits of excise check-posts, and mandatory CCTV surveillance at all detention points.

Notably, Bihar's law and order situation remains a politically sensitive issue ahead of future electoral cycles, with opposition parties likely to use this incident to question the state government's governance record. The incident has already sparked outrage on social media, with citizens demanding departmental action against the accused beyond criminal prosecution.

Key Developments at a Glance

The Jamui district police have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and further departmental action against the accused is expected. The Bihar government and senior police officials have yet to issue a formal public statement on the matter. Legal proceedings under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to kidnapping, extortion, and criminal conspiracy are expected to follow.

As this case moves through the judicial process, it will serve as a critical test of Bihar's institutional will to hold its own law enforcement personnel accountable — a benchmark that citizens and civil rights groups will be watching closely in the weeks ahead.