Police Recover Pistol, Bike Used in August Shooting
Key Points:
- Seventh accused held in Nikhar Sablok murder case
- Bike, pistol and two phones recovered on his lead
- Victim was shot at Asanbani hotel on August 24
CHANDIL – Police in Seraikela-Kharsawan district have arrested another accused in the murder of Nikhar Sablok. The arrest brings the total number of people held in the case to seven.
The accused has been identified as around 40-year-old Abhimanyu Singh, alias Sintu Singh. He is a resident of Ashiyana Brahmanand in Tamulia, within the Chandil police station area.
Police arrested him on September 7. On his identification, officers recovered a Bajaj Avenger motorcycle, two mobile phones and a loaded country-made pistol used in the crime.
A live cartridge was also found in the pistol’s magazine. According to police, the weapon and vehicle were both used during the shooting.
Nikhar Sablok was shot by unidentified assailants at the 10th Mile Hotel in Asanbani on August 24. He was critically injured in the attack.
He was later admitted to TMH in Jamshedpur for treatment. However, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Given the seriousness of the case, the superintendent of police ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team. The SIT pursued the probe using technical evidence, CCTV footage and human intelligence.
Police had already arrested six other accused earlier in the investigation. Weapons used in the killing were recovered from them as well, and all six were sent to judicial custody.
Further investigation led officers to information about Abhimanyu Singh’s alleged involvement. Police then acted on the information and arrested him.
During questioning, and on his identification, officers recovered the motorcycle, phones and pistol linked to the crime. Police said Singh has a prior criminal history.
DSP Shiv Prakash Kumar confirmed the arrest and the recoveries made in the case. “The probe is continuing, and we are examining other facts connected to the murder,” he said.
Police are continuing raids at possible hideouts in search of any remaining accused. The investigation into the case remains ongoing, officials said.
The accused was being sent to judicial custody on September 8. Meanwhile, the case has drawn comparisons to a separate murder investigation handled by police earlier this year.
Besides this case, Chandil police have registered several other criminal cases in the region in recent months. Security near the Chandil dam area has also been tightened amid separate concerns this year.
In addition, officials in the wider Seraikela-Kharsawan district have been engaged in several other administrative matters through the year.
