IG’s stolen pistol found in his courtyard, suspect freed on bond

The service revolver of a senior police officer of Bihar, which was reported by him stolen on November 24, has been recovered along with 25 bullets from the courtyard of his residence in Patna, police said on Sunday.

On November 24, inspector general (IG) of police Vikas Vaibhav, a 2003-batch IPS (Indian Police Service) officer, had reported his Glock pistol and ammunition missing and filed a complaint with Gardanibagh police station in the state capital.

Later, police had detained Suraj Kumar, son of Home Guard Virendra Kumar who was deployed on duty at the police officer’s residence. Suraj Kumar’s friend Sumit Kumar was also named in the FIR as a suspect, though he wasn’t detained.

Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) M S Dhillon said, “The role of the two suspects named in FIR is still a matter of investigation. No arrest has been made so far. Suspects and witnesses are being questioned to ascertain the circumstances leading to the FIR,” he said.

Dhillon said the pistol was found hidden near a tree in the courtyard on Saturday when a police team carried out searches at Vaibhav’s residence.

The SSP said Suraj Kumar was released on Saturday on a bond. Asked if Suraj Kumar had confessed to the crime during questioning, the police refused to share details.

The role of the two suspects named in FIR is still a matter of investigation. No arrest has been made so far M S DHILLON , Patna SSP