Accused in Bihar’s ₹25 cr. Tanishq heist killed in encounter, three STF personnel injured
Patna: An accused in the ₹25 crore heist at a Tanishq jewellery showroom in Bihar’s Arrah was killed in an encounter with the Special Task Force (STF) on Saturday. The joint operation, conducted by the STF, Patna Police, and local officials, resulted in injuries to three STF personnel.
According to reports, the accused was asked to surrender but continued firing at the security forces, leading to the encounter. He was taken to a hospital in Narpatganj, where doctors declared him brought dead. His identity has not yet been disclosed by the police.
The heist took place on March 10 when a group of armed men stormed the showroom, overpowering security personnel and holding staff and customers hostage at gunpoint. CCTV footage from the incident shows the assailants, some wearing masks, forcing people to raise their hands while looting gold, silver, and diamond jewellery. The criminals, who arrived in a car parked across the street, first attacked the security guard, snatched his weapon, and then proceeded to ransack the showroom before escaping.
While local reports estimate the value of the stolen jewellery at ₹25 crore, the police have yet to confirm the exact amount. Authorities continue their investigation to apprehend the remaining suspects.
बिहार के अररिया में एनकाउंटर, तनिष्क शोरूम लूट कांड का आरोपी ढेर, STF के 3 जवान भी जख्मी।पुलिस अधिकारी ने बताया कि एनकाउंटर में एसटीएफ के तीन जवान भी घायल हुए हैं. जिस अपराधी को गोली लगी थी, उसकी क्रिमिनल हिस्ट्री थी.#Bihar #BiharNews #Encounter @ArariaP @bihar_police pic.twitter.com/8E8vkFz38t
— FirstBiharJharkhand (@firstbiharnews) March 22, 2025
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
