Notorious gangster Aman Sao, also known as Aman Sahu, was killed in a police encounter on Tuesday morning at Andhari Dhoda under Chainpur Block of Palamu district, Jharkhand, around 566 kilometres from Raipur, capital of Chhattisgarh. Sao, a key figure in organized crime across Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, orchestrated extortion, contract killings, and terror racketeering. According to senior Chhattisgarh Police officials, based on information shared by their Jharkhand counterparts, the encounter occurred while Sao was being transported from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, to Ranchi, Jharkhand, on a transit remand related to multiple heinous crimes. “The vehicle carrying Sao overturned, and his aides launched an ambush to free him. Taking advantage of the chaos, Sao snatched an INSAS rifle from a security personnel and opened fire,” a senior Chhattisgarh Police official stated.

 

“In retaliation, our team neutralised him on the spot,” the official added. Sao was being brought to Ranchi for questioning in connection with the March 7 shooting of coal businessman Bipin Mishra in Bariatu and the March 8 shooting of NTPC DGM Kumar Gaurav in Hazaribagh. Both incidents had stirred panic among business circles and prompted high-level security operations. Sao had been operating his criminal network from Raipur Central Jail. “His influence extended beyond bars. He maintained control through social media and coded messages,” a senior police official disclosed.

 

The gangster’s influence was not limited to Jharkhand. His gang actively operated in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, targeting businessmen and residents through extortion and contract killings. Four shooters from Sao’s and Lawrence Bishnoi’s gangs were previously arrested in Raipur, reportedly planning attacks. “The arrests provided us with key information about Sao’s ongoing operations despite incarceration,” a senior Chhattisgarh Police official confirmed, based on information shared by Jharkhand counterparts. Sao had even expressed political ambitions by filing a nomination to contest the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly elections from Barkagaon Assembly Seat despite over 150 criminal cases pending against him. However, the Jharkhand High Court rejected his plea, labeling him a grave threat to public order. On Monday, Jharkhand DGP had stated, “Three gangsters — Vikas Tiwari, Aman Srivastava, and Aman Sao are running their operations from inside jails, and raids have been conducted in the jails of Simdega and Hazaribagh.” Sao’s gang primarily targeted coal traders, transporters, contractors, real estate businessmen, and builders, extorting money from them. After committing crimes, the gang would post updates on social media and inform the media through virtual numbers, claiming responsibility for the incidents.

 

In October 2024, 40 policemen escorted Sahu to Raipur Central Jail on a production warrant related to an attack on businessman Prahlad Rai Agarwal’s car. Despite incarceration, Sahu continued orchestrating killings and extortions remotely. Sao also had multiple extortion cases registered in Raipur, and had been lodged in Raipur Jail for the last three and a half months. Even from inside the jail, he expanded his extortion operations to Chhattisgarh, compelling high-level police surveillance.