The Delhi police have arrested a wanted criminal and a life convict from Bihar who was on the run after being sentenced in a murder case.
The convict, Vijay Kumar Mahto, 27, a resident of Araria village in Sitamarhi district, was apprehended on the intervening night of October 23 and 24.
Mahto has been previously involved in at least 14 cases, including murder, attempt to murder, robbery, extortion, and offences under the Arms Act. He was convicted by a Sitamarhi court in 2021 under sections 302 (murder), 394 (voluntarily causing hurt while committing robbery), 307 (attempt to murder), 412 (dishonestly receiving property stolen in a dacoity), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. He had also been booked under Section 27 of the Arms Act for using illegal firearms.
Police said in 2020, Mahto had shot dead a medical shop owner, Anil Mahto, after the latter refused to pay extortion money. He fired four bullets, killing him on the spot and injuring another shop worker. After committing the murder, he fled Bihar and kept changing locations to evade arrest.
According to police, Mahto also led a local criminal network that extorted money from traders and transporters in Sitamarhi and nearby districts by issuing death threats.
Published – October 26, 2025 01:00 am IST
