East Champaran police announce rewards on 100 absconding criminals after crime surge

Motihari: East Champaran police on Sunday released a list of 100 absconding accused involved in serious criminal cases, including murder, robbery, dacoity, extortion, liquor smuggling and illegal land grabbing. The police also announced cash rewards ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh on these absconders with the total reward amount fixed at Rs 8 lakh.

The move comes in the wake of a recent spike in crime in the district. Over the past six months, 15 murder cases have been registered, most of them linked to gang rivalry, power struggles, love affairs and liquor smuggling. SP Swarn Prabhat appealed to the public to share information about the wanted criminals, assuring that the identity of informants would be kept confidential.


According to police records, Deva Gupta tops the list of absconders. He is the husband of Priti Gupta, mayor of Motihari Municipal Corporation. Deva had unsuccessfully contested the recent assembly election on an RJD ticket and is accused in 28 criminal cases. He is currently wanted in two murder cases and the police have announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his arrest.

DIG of Champaran police range, Har Kishor Rai, while approving the list of absconding criminals, issued a stern warning, saying that those who fail to surrender before the court will face confiscation of their illegally acquired properties. He made it clear that surrender was the only option left for the absconders.

The SP also warned all wanted criminals to surrender in court within 10 days, failing which the process of attachment of their properties would begin after the deadline. He said the entire action would be carried out strictly in accordance with legal procedures.

An analysis of the list shows that the highest number of absconders are accused in murder and liquor-related cases. The list also includes accused involved in robbery, dacoity, drug trafficking, crimes against women and “rangdari”.

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