Bihar EOU-STF raids 25 locations of Santosh Don in land, arms probe
Synopsis
Bihar's EOU and Patna STF hit 25 locations across Patna and Nalanda in a single coordinated operation targeting Santosh Don — an alleged land mafia figure who is also a PACS President and the husband of a Block Pramukh. The dual political-contractor profile of those under the scanner makes this more than a routine land fraud case.
Key Takeaways
The EOU and Patna STF , assisted by Nalanda police , raided 25 locations across Patna and Nalanda districts on 13 June .
The operation targeted Sanjay Kumar alias Santosh Don , alleged land mafia figure and PACS President of Sukarbegchak Panchayat .
Raids also covered residences of Nitish Kumar and road contractors Rajendra Yadav and Kanhaiya Yadav .
A Scorpio vehicle and several documents and certificates were seized during the searches.
Investigators are probing alleged links to a syndicate involved in illegal land transactions and arms smuggling .
Family members of those targeted denied involvement; Kanhaiya Yadav and his brother were not present during the raid.
The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) and Patna STF conducted simultaneous raids across 25 locations in Patna and Nalanda districts on Saturday, 13 June, targeting properties linked to alleged land mafia figure Sanjay Kumar, popularly known as Santosh Don, and his associates. The coordinated crackdown, carried out with support from the Nalanda police, focused on suspected illegal land transactions and arms smuggling.
Scale and Scope of the Operation
Search teams fanned out across locations stretching from Khusrupur in Patna district to Pachasa and Khidarchak villages in Nalanda district. Additional raids were conducted at properties in Jagmalbigha, Mustafapur, and Chauda villages. The operation continued for several hours under heavy police deployment.
Investigators searched multiple premises associated with Sanjay Kumar alias Santosh Don, including his residence at Pachrukhia. He is reportedly the PACS President of Sukarbegchak Panchayat and the husband of the local Block Pramukh — a combination of positions that, according to investigators, may have facilitated alleged influence over land records.
Other Targets and What Was Seized
Police teams simultaneously searched the residence of Nitish Kumar in Pachasa village, as well as the homes of road contractors Rajendra Yadav and Kanhaiya Yadav in Khidarchak village. Officials confirmed that Kanhaiya Yadav and his brother were not present at the time of the raid.
During the searches, investigators seized a Scorpio vehicle along with several documents and certificates described as potentially significant to the probe. Authorities are now scrutinising the seized materials to trace financial links, property records, and possible criminal networks.
What the Police Said
Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal, DSP (Sadar), Biharsarif, Nalanda, confirmed that the raids were underway and stated that the Nalanda police were assisting the EOU and STF teams throughout the operation. According to preliminary information, law enforcement agencies had received intelligence inputs suggesting the accused were linked to a syndicate involved in both illegal land transactions and arms smuggling.
Family Members Deny Allegations
Pratima Devi, wife of Narendra Kumar, denied any wrongdoing, claiming her husband and brother-in-law were engaged solely in road construction and plantation contracts and had no connection to land dealings. She said police had been searching their home for several hours after arriving with orders from Patna. Other family members of those under investigation similarly denied involvement in illegal activities.
What Happens Next
A heavy police force remains deployed across the affected areas as a precautionary measure. Investigators are expected to examine every document and financial trail unearthed during the raids before determining whether formal arrests or charges will follow. The operation signals a broader push by Bihar's specialised agencies against alleged land mafia networks with reported political and contractor linkages.
Point of View
Not just one individual. What the seized documents reveal will determine whether this raid translates into prosecutions or fades as another high-visibility operation with limited follow-through — a risk that has historically blunted Bihar's anti-land-mafia drives.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Santosh Don and why was he targeted in the Bihar raids?
Santosh Don is the alias of Sanjay Kumar , an alleged land mafia figure in Bihar who is also the PACS President of Sukarbegchak Panchayat and the husband of the local Block Pramukh. He was targeted by the EOU and Patna STF on 13 June over suspected involvement in illegal land transactions and arms smuggling.
How many locations were raided and which areas were covered?
A total of 25 locations were raided simultaneously across Patna and Nalanda districts, spanning Khusrupur in Patna district and Pachasa, Khidarchak, Jagmalbigha, Mustafapur, and Chauda villages in Nalanda district.
What was seized during the Bihar EOU-STF raids?
Investigators seized a Scorpio vehicle along with several documents and certificates considered significant to the probe. Authorities are scrutinising these materials to trace financial links, property records, and possible criminal networks.
Who else was targeted besides Santosh Don?
Raids were also conducted at the residence of Nitish Kumar in Pachasa village and at the homes of road contractors Rajendra Yadav and Kanhaiya Yadav in Khidarchak village. Kanhaiya Yadav and his brother were reportedly not present during the search.
What did the families of those raided say?
Pratima Devi , wife of Narendra Kumar, denied any wrongdoing, stating her husband and brother-in-law were involved only in road construction and plantation contracts. Other family members similarly denied links to illegal land dealings or arms smuggling.
