In a major operation late last night, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested advocate Sandeep Kumar Sinha, alias ‘Chhotu Lala’, from Johari Bazar, located within the jurisdiction of the Nagar police station in Hajipur. According to reports, the advocate was preparing to leave his apartment in his vehicle when he was apprehended by a joint team of the Nagar police and the NIA, who had been keeping him under surveillance. Following initial questioning, the team took the advocate into custody, and his vehicle has been impounded at the Nagar police station. His family members have confirmed the arrest.
Previous Raids on the Advocate’s Premises
The NIA has raided the advocate’s premises twice before. The first operation took place on December 18, 2024. On that occasion, simultaneous raids were conducted at the advocate’s residence on SDO Road (under the Nagar police station area), the premises of Satyam Kumar in Krishnapuri Bagmali, and the home of Munna Rai in Gauspur Mujahid village (under the Mahua police station area). However, no items were recovered during that operation.
Second Raid Yielded a Pistol, Ammunition, and ₹4 Lakh
During the second raid on October 8, 2025, the NIA searched the advocate’s residence. According to sources, the team recovered a pistol, two magazines, 18 cartridges, a licensed firearm, and ₹4 lakh in cash from the home of advocate Sandeep Kumar Sinha—son of Ashok Kumar Singh, a resident of SDO Road. Following this arrest, the agency is now investigating other aspects related to the case.
From AK-47 Smuggling to Land Acquisition
According to sources, the NIA’s investigation is linked to a large-scale illegal arms trafficking network. The agency suspects that the proceeds from the sale of these illegal weapons were used to purchase land. The role of advocate Chhotu Lala is also being investigated. According to the probe, Satyam Kumar—a resident of Krishnapuri Bagmali in Hajipur—and Vikas Kumar—a resident of Pokhaira village under the Jaitpur police station area—are relatives. Both are accused of procuring illegal weapons from Nagaland and other parts of the Northeast and selling them in Bihar.
**AK-47s smuggled via Rajdhani Express**
On May 9, 2024, the Muzaffarpur police uncovered this network. In a press conference, the then-SP stated that Satyam and Vikas had transported AK-47s from Nagaland via the Rajdhani Express.
The police seized an AK-47 assault rifle (fitted with a telescopic sight), magazines, five live cartridges, and three mobile phones from them. Investigative agencies suspect that the proceeds from the sale of these weapons may have been invested in land.
**Who is Munna Rai, and why is he under scrutiny?**
Munna Rai, son of the late advocate Anil Rai, previously studied in Pune. Later, his name was allegedly linked to illicit activities. He was also reportedly implicated in connection with the illegal weapons recovered in Muzaffarpur. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is now examining the roles of Munna Rai and other suspects within this network.
**NIA investigating the network and sources of assets**
Currently, the NIA is interrogating the arrested advocate. The agency is working to identify everyone involved in the arms trade and determine the extent of assets acquired using the proceeds from these sales.
A key aspect of the investigation is to establish the link between the alleged financial transactions—from the smuggling of weapons to the subsequent purchase of land.
