Hajipur (Vaishali): A notorious gold robber linked to large-scale heists across several states was killed in an encounter with a joint team of the Special Task Force (STF) and Vaishali police in Hajipur on Saturday, bringing an end to a long trail of violent crime.
The accused, Prince Kumar alias Abhijeet, was a key member of an organised gold robbery gang and was wanted in 31 criminal cases, including robbery, dacoity, murder and violations under the Arms Act. A ₹2 lakh reward had been announced for his arrest.
Police said they received specific intelligence that the wanted criminal was hiding inside a house in Hanuman Nagar Colony under the Sadar police station area. Acting on the tip-off, teams from the STF, District Intelligence Unit (DIU) and local police jointly planned and executed a raid after cordoning off the locality.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
Firing during raid, killed in retaliatory action
As the police team reached the identified hideout, firing was allegedly opened from inside the house. Police said they retaliated in self-defence, during which Prince Kumar sustained gunshot injuries. He was rushed in a critical condition to the Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
During the encounter, one of his associates attempted to flee but was apprehended with a firearm. Senior district officials reached the spot soon after the incident. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) was called in to collect evidence, and the area was sealed to complete procedural formalities.
Escape from PMCH turned him into a major challenge
According to police records, Prince Kumar had escaped from custody in September 2024 while undergoing treatment at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). Since then, he had remained a persistent challenge for law enforcement agencies.
A resident of Husaina village under Goraul police station limits in Vaishali district, Prince was once an engineering student before slipping into organised crime. Investigations revealed that he was deeply involved with inter-state gold robbery syndicates and gradually emerged as a central operative in the network.
Key role in major Tanishq showroom robbery
Police said Prince Kumar played a significant role in the ₹10.5 crore robbery at a Tanishq showroom located at Sheesh Mahal Chowk in Ara city on March 10, 2025. Seven armed criminals had arrived on two motorcycles and carried out the daylight heist at gunpoint.
Investigators said the conspiracy for that robbery was hatched by notorious criminal Sheru Singh, lodged in Purulia jail in West Bengal, along with another accused from Vaishali. One more gang member, Chunmun Jha, had earlier been killed in a separate police encounter.
Cases across states, including Purnea robbery
Prince’s name also surfaced in the ₹3 crore robbery at a Tanishq showroom in Line Bazar area of Purnea on July 26, 2024, where armed men had held security guards and staff hostage before fleeing with gold and diamond jewellery.
Police sources said Prince was accused in multiple gold robbery cases across the country — 56 kg in Asansol in 2017, 55 kg in Hajipur in 2019, 24 kg in Udaipur in 2022, 16 kg in Katni, and 18 kg in Dehradun in 2023. Taken together, the cases linked to him involved the alleged looting of nearly 300 kg of gold.
Proclamation issued, ₹2 lakh reward announced
Last month, police had pasted a proclamation notice at Prince’s residence in Husaina Khurd village, declaring a ₹2 lakh bounty on him and warning of property attachment if he failed to surrender.
Following the encounter, the Sadar Hospital was turned into a high-security zone with deployment from multiple police stations. The post-mortem process has been completed and further legal procedures are underway.
Police said the entire operation was conducted within the ambit of law and that investigations are continuing into the wider network linked to the accused.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
