Bagodar, Jharkhand: Police in Jharkhand are investigating a suspected murder involving the driver of a truck that was found abandoned late Monday night near Bhalua Mode on NH-133 in Saraiyahat. Authorities believe the incident involved a planned robbery in which the truck, laden with iron rods, was intended to be stolen. The driver, identified as Dhiraj Kumar, a 25-year-old from Khagaria district in Bihar, was discovered dead prior to the truck’s abandonment, raising concerns about a premeditated attack.

Discovery of the Body

The Bagodar Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Vinay Kumar Yadav, told PTI that the unidentified body of a young man was recovered on the night of November 16. “It was only after the truck was recovered at Dumka that we could get the clue about the identity of the truck driver, identified as Dhiraj Kumar,” Yadav explained. “We are probing the incident, and the criminals might have murdered the driver to steal the iron rod-laden truck, but had to abandon the truck at Dumka after fearing getting caught by police.”

The sequence of events suggests that the murder and attempted theft were part of a premeditated plan. Investigators believe the perpetrators targeted the truck specifically due to the valuable cargo it was carrying. The motive appears to have been financial gain, with the criminals likely intending to transport the vehicle and its cargo to Bihar before encountering obstacles that forced them to abandon it.

Truck Ownership and Route Details

The truck involved in the incident is owned by Ranjit Roy, a resident of West Bardhaman district in West Bengal. According to police reports, Roy had loaded the truck at Raniganj on November 15, with its destination set for Banaras in Uttar Pradesh. The truck’s movement was being monitored through GPS installed by the owner, which played a crucial role in tracking its location after the incident.

Ranjit Roy informed authorities that contact with the driver was lost on November 16. His calls to Dhiraj Kumar went unanswered, and the driver’s mobile phone was found to be switched off, raising immediate concern about the driver’s safety. The disappearance of the driver prompted authorities to coordinate between multiple police jurisdictions to trace both the missing truck and the individual.

Truck Recovery and Police Coordination

The truck was eventually located at Bhalua Mode on NH-133, following efforts by the truck owner and local police authorities. Saraiyahat Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Jay Prakash Das, explained that the truck owner, while tracking the GPS, discovered the vehicle abandoned and promptly informed local law enforcement.

“The truck owner got in touch with us. We have seized the truck and coordinated with Bagodar Police, who informed us about the recovery of the driver’s body,” Das said. “A case has been registered at Bagodar Police Station, and we will hand over the truck to them for further investigation.”

Authorities believe the coordination between the Bagodar and Saraiyahat police stations was critical in piecing together the chain of events, allowing them to connect the murder with the truck abandonment. The recovery of the truck and the driver’s body provides essential leads in the ongoing criminal investigation.

Suspected Motive and Criminal Planning

Police sources indicated that the perpetrators had initially planned to take the truck to Bihar after murdering the driver. However, unforeseen circumstances forced them to abandon the vehicle near Bhalua Mode late Monday night. The sources suggest that the criminals likely altered their plans after noticing a police inspection at the same location following the deaths of two individuals in a separate road accident.

“The criminals possibly feared detection and were forced to leave the truck behind,” said an officer familiar with the case. “It appears to have been a planned attack, but their escape plan was interrupted by unexpected police presence.”

Investigators are examining the route taken by the truck, the timing of the attack, and the methods used by the perpetrators to identify possible accomplices or networks involved in the crime. Forensic analysis of the truck, including any fingerprints or DNA traces, is also expected to provide additional leads in the case.

Challenges in Investigation

The case presents several challenges for police. The attack appears to have been premeditated and executed quickly, with the perpetrators aware of the truck’s route and cargo. The remote location where the truck was abandoned complicates evidence collection, while the perpetrators’ likely familiarity with local terrain makes tracking them more difficult.

Furthermore, the coordination of investigations across multiple police jurisdictions—Bagodar, Saraiyahat, and Dumka—requires careful handling to ensure timely communication and efficient collection of evidence. Authorities are also considering whether similar incidents in the region might be connected to the same group of criminals.

Law Enforcement Response

The police have intensified patrols along NH-133 and surrounding areas, aiming to prevent similar incidents and apprehend those responsible for Dhiraj Kumar’s murder. Officers are monitoring traffic and checking vehicles transporting valuable goods, especially trucks carrying construction materials like iron rods, which appear to be a target for theft.

Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage from nearby towns and highways, conducting interviews with locals, and reaching out to truck operators and transport companies to gather additional information about suspicious activity in the region.

Community and Safety Concerns

Incidents like this have heightened safety concerns among truck operators and logistics companies operating in Jharkhand and neighboring states. Drivers transporting valuable cargo are particularly vulnerable to criminal attacks, especially in remote areas where police presence is limited. Authorities are urging transport companies to adopt enhanced security measures, including GPS tracking, driver communication protocols, and coordination with local police when moving high-value consignments.

The case also raises broader questions about road safety, policing in remote areas, and the need for preventive measures against organized crime targeting the transportation sector.

Next Steps in Investigation

Bagodar police are leading the murder investigation, with Saraiyahat police providing support regarding the truck recovery. The case is being processed under applicable criminal laws, and authorities are working to identify the perpetrators, their motives, and potential accomplices.

Forensic examinations, including post-mortem reports and analysis of the truck, are expected to provide critical evidence. Police have also called for cooperation from local residents who might have witnessed the attack or seen suspicious activity in the area around November 16.

Officials have emphasized that the case is under active investigation and assured the public that those responsible will be apprehended. “We are leaving no stone unturned,” said Officer-in-Charge Vinay Kumar Yadav. “Our priority is to ensure justice for the victim and to prevent similar crimes in the future.”

Conclusion

The murder of Dhiraj Kumar and the subsequent abandonment of the truck in Dumka district highlight the risks faced by transport workers in remote areas and the increasing sophistication of criminal operations targeting high-value cargo. While police continue to investigate the incident, the collaboration between multiple jurisdictions, use of technology such as GPS tracking, and prompt response by law enforcement are key factors aiding in unraveling the crime.

As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to gather further intelligence on the perpetrators’ network, their methods, and potential links to other organized theft operations in the region. The case underscores the need for strengthened security measures for transport workers, vigilance by law enforcement, and community cooperation to curb such criminal activities.