Mumbai cop trying to arrest suspect in Jharkhand attacked

The city cops with Rabiul Shaikh

A Mumbai policeman was attacked and injured in a remote Jharkhand village after his team tried to arrest a few men allegedly involved in a robbery at a Dahisar jewellery shop last month. Undaunted, the cops arrested one of the suspects even though others fled.

Sources said Suryakant Pawar, an assistant police inspector from MHB police station was on the job after they registered a case following the burglary of R12.5 lakh valuables at Deepmala Jewelers on September 12. The police said six people were involved in the crime.

With the help of CCTV footage and cellular data record, the cops arrested a suspect, 40-year-old Serjul Shaikh, on September 16. In police custody, Shaikh revealed the names and identities of his accomplishes and said that they were hiding in Piyarpur village under the Radhanagar police station of Jharkhand.

Rabiul Shaikh (left) who was arrested from Jharkhand

Sources said Pawar headed for the eastern state and began camping close to the village, which can be accessed only after crossing the Ganga with a boat. The cops disguised themselves as common citizens to familiarise themselves with the area.

On October 20, Pawar, his team and local cops entered the village to arrest suspects Rabiul Shaikh and Humayun. But Humayun's brother, their relatives and other villagers began pelting stones at the police raid party, injuring Pawar. While Humayun took advantage of the chaos and fled, Rabiul was arrested.

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Pawar was taken to a local hospital. Based on his complaint, the local police registered a case against Humayun's brother and others who attacked the police. Rabiul was brought to Mumbai on Sunday. A city court on Monday remanded him in police custody for three days. Police sources said most people from Jharkhand village are into burglaries. Many of them face cases in several states, including Maharashtra and Karnataka.

"Whatever they steal, a large part of it is spent on the villagers, which is the reason the villagers help one another. Whenever police arrive to arrest a villager, the locals are alerted and they try to help the person escape on a boat," said a police officer.