Vaishali Police arrest 3 in Bihar gold trader robbery, including two Nepali nationals
Synopsis
A gold trader's robbery in Bihar's Mahnar has exposed a cross-border criminal network stretching from Nepal to Malaysia. The arrest of Jayaram Paswan — a dacoit with 24 cases across two countries who allegedly evaded capture for nearly three decades — is the most striking development, even as the alleged mastermind Idris Nat remains at large.
Key Takeaways
Vaishali Police arrested three accused in the Mahnar gold trader robbery of 21 April , including two Nepali nationals.
Jayaram Paswan , a Nepali national with 24 criminal cases across Nepal and Bihar, was arrested for the first time despite alleged criminal activity since 1998 .
Paswan allegedly evaded arrest for nearly three decades by fleeing to Malaysia after committing crimes.
Bhola Sah (Nepal, 11 dacoity cases) and Rajiv Singh (Sheohar, 2 dacoity cases) are the other two arrested accused.
The robbery was allegedly planned in Bettiah during a wedding ceremony attended by criminals from Bihar and Nepal.
Alleged mastermind Idris Nat remains absconding; looted valuables are yet to be recovered.
Vaishali Police in Bihar have arrested three accused in connection with the robbery at a gold trader's residence in Mahnar on the night of 21 April, including two Nepali nationals allegedly linked to an inter-state and cross-border criminal network. The breakthrough was announced on 7 May by Vaishali Superintendent of Police (SP) Vikram Sihag.
Key Arrests in the Case
The most significant arrest is that of Jayaram Paswan, described by police as a notorious dacoit from Nepal who allegedly played a central role in the robbery. According to SP Vikram Sihag, this marks the first time Paswan has been arrested despite allegedly being involved in criminal activities since 1998 — a span of nearly three decades.
Police records indicate that 24 criminal cases are registered against Paswan in Nepal and across several districts of Bihar, including Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Sheohar, and Darbhanga. Charges reportedly include robbery, Arms Act violations, and bomb attack-related offences.
The other two accused are Bhola Sah, also a Nepali national with 11 dacoity cases registered against him, and Rajiv Singh, a resident of Sheohar district, who is accused in two dacoity cases.
How the Conspiracy Was Planned
According to SP Sihag, the robbery was allegedly planned in Bettiah, where criminals from Bihar and Nepal had assembled during a wedding ceremony. After detailed planning at that gathering, the gang allegedly targeted the gold trader's home in Mahnar, carried out the robbery, and fled the scene.
Police officials stated that the crime was a joint operation by criminals from both Bihar and Nepal, underscoring the cross-border nature of the network.
How the SIT Cracked the Case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) initially arrested Rajiv Singh from Sheohar district. Information extracted during his interrogation helped police trace and subsequently arrest Jayaram Paswan and Bhola Sah.
Notably, according to police, Paswan had managed to evade law enforcement for nearly three decades by allegedly fleeing to Malaysia after committing crimes and returning after long intervals to resume criminal activities.
Two stolen motorcycles have been recovered from Paswan's possession. However, the valuables looted during the Mahnar robbery are yet to be recovered.
Mastermind Still Absconding
Idris Nat, believed to be the alleged mastermind of the Bihar-based gang, remains at large along with several other accused. Police said raids are currently underway to apprehend them.
Police Personnel to Be Felicitated
Following the breakthrough, SP Vikram Sihag announced that personnel from the Mahnar SDPO team, the District Intelligence Unit (DIU), and the SIT would be felicitated for their role in cracking the case. The investigation remains active, with the recovery of looted valuables and the arrest of remaining accused as the next priorities.
Point of View
Accumulated 24 cases across two countries, and used Malaysia as a safe haven before returning to Bihar raises uncomfortable questions about intelligence-sharing between India and Nepal. The SIT's breakthrough came through interrogation, not surveillance — suggesting the network was not on active radar before the robbery. With the alleged mastermind Idris Nat still absconding and the looted gold unrecovered, the case is far from closed.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Mahnar gold trader robbery in Bihar?
Armed criminals robbed the residence of a gold trader in Mahnar, Vaishali district, Bihar, on the night of 21 April. Police say the robbery was carried out by a gang comprising criminals from both Bihar and Nepal, allegedly planned during a wedding in Bettiah.
Who is Jayaram Paswan and why is his arrest significant?
Jayaram Paswan is a Nepali national described by police as a notorious dacoit with 24 criminal cases registered against him in Nepal and Bihar. His arrest is significant because, according to Vaishali SP Vikram Sihag, this is the first time he has been arrested despite allegedly being involved in criminal activities since 1998.
How did Vaishali Police crack the Mahnar robbery case?
The SIT first arrested Rajiv Singh from Sheohar district. Information obtained during his interrogation led police to Jayaram Paswan and Bhola Sah, the two Nepali nationals. Two stolen motorcycles were recovered from Paswan's possession.
Who is the alleged mastermind of the robbery and has he been caught?
Idris Nat is believed to be the alleged mastermind of the Bihar-based gang. He remains absconding as of 7 May, and police say raids are currently underway to apprehend him along with several other accused.
Are the valuables looted in the Mahnar robbery recovered?
No. As of the latest update, the valuables looted during the Mahnar robbery have not been recovered, even though two stolen motorcycles were seized from arrested accused Jayaram Paswan.
