5 contract killings, 2 extortions, and unrest ahead of Bihar polls – what is Sigma & Company, whose 4 gang members police gunned down in Delhi

The ADG said that the gang had allegedly been responsible for five contract killings and two cases of extortion in Bihar in the past three months. “The gang was attempting to create an atmosphere of violence and fear in the district. Evidence, including an audio clip, has been seized in which Ranjan Pathak is heard talking about spreading unrest before the elections,” Krishnan said.

He added that after committing crimes, the group would claim responsibility through self-issued notes circulated to the media to instil fear among the public.

The Bihar Police, the ADG said, had been conducting continuous raids in Ludhiana, Delhi and other cities based on technical and human intelligence inputs. “Information was received about the gang members hiding in Delhi and demanding extortion money. The Sitamarhi Police team camping in Delhi, along with the Delhi Police, was trying to arrest them when the encounter took place,” he said.

Regarding the recent criminal activities carried out by the gang, ADG Krishnan said that one Aditya Kumar was shot dead by Ranjan Pathak and his associates on July 18 in the Bajpatti police station area. Days later, on August 21, the Dumra police station filed a case against the gang after one Madan Kumar Kushwaha was shot five times in an alleged contract killing.

“The gang is also responsible for gunning down former Brahmrmi Sena president Ganesh Sharma outside his home in Lagama on September 26 in Dumra,” Krishnan said, adding that three days later, on September 29, a CSP operator named Shravan Yadav was similarly shot six times inside his shop in Choraut, as part of a contract killing worth Rs 1.17 lakh.

The gang also allegedly demanded Rs 45 lakh in extortion and threatened the complainant with death, as per a case registered on October 13 in the Garha police station.

The Bihar ADG said that each of the deceased had an extensive criminal record in Sitamarhi and nearby districts, with Ranjan Pathak of Radhour Malahi village wanted in at least eight cases, including murder and extortion; and Aman Thakur of Dostiya village accused in four serious cases. Similarly, Vimlesh Mahato of Ratanpura village in Bajpatti faced four criminal cases, and his associate, Manish Pathak of Malahi village, was accused in multiple murder cases.

“A reward of Rs 50,000 each had been announced for the arrest of Ranjan Pathak, Rahul Jha, and Kapoor Jha, and Rs 25,000 each for Vimlesh Mahato, Aman Thakur, and other gang members,” the ADG said.

The encounter comes as Bihar heads to Assembly elections scheduled in two phases on November 6 and 11, with state police maintaining heightened vigilance against any attempts to disrupt law and order during the poll period.