With Samrat Choudhary Taking Charge of Home Department, Bihar Police Redefines Policing: Even Petty Theft to Be Treated as Organized Crime

In a major shift in Bihar’s policing strategy, Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar has expanded the definition of organized crime following the formation of the new NDA government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. With Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary now heading the Home Department, the police have been directed to treat even small offences—such as petty theft, pickpocketing, and fraud—as part of organized crime networks.

New Policing Framework Rolled Out

According to the new framework, the police will no longer assess cases merely by the scale of the crime but by the nature of the offence and the criminal network behind it. The DGP has instructed all SSPs and SPs to intensify surveillance of repeat offenders and dismantle the syndicates that operate behind seemingly minor crimes.

This preventive approach aims to curb criminal networks at their earliest stages to stop offenders from progressing into major crime syndicates.

Expanded Definition of Organized Crime in Bihar

Earlier, organized crime in Bihar primarily referred to big gangs or high-profile syndicates. Smaller crimes—such as snatching, petty theft, and minor fraud—were considered low-priority cases.

However, under the new policy:

• These smaller offences will now be recorded as organized crimes,
• Special surveillance and mandatory reporting will be applied,
• And offenders will be treated as part of broader criminal networks.

New Category Introduced: ‘Small Organized Crime’

DGP Vinay Kumar has introduced a new classification—Small Organized Crime. Under this category, crimes such as:

• Theft
• Snatching
• Fraud and cheating
• Illegal ticket trading
• Gambling and betting
• Paper selling rackets

…will now be registered as Special Reported (SR) cases, requiring compulsory tracking, documentation, and departmental action.

Repeat Offenders to Be Treated as Organized Crime Syndicates

A senior official confirmed that crimes committed repeatedly by two or more individuals will now automatically fall under the organized crime category. This includes:

• Kidnapping
• Loot and robbery
• Vehicle theft
• Land mafia activity
• Contract killings
• Cyber fraud
• Economic offences
• Illegal arms trade
• Human trafficking

Breaking the Crime Chain Early

Referring to provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the DGP said that individuals involved in smaller offences often graduate into major criminal networks. Therefore, breaking these chains early is essential for long-term crime reduction.

Police Training Curriculum Being Updated

Police training academies—including the Rajgir Police Academy and all state training centers—have been instructed to incorporate the new crime-classification system and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) into their curriculum.

According to the DGP, Bihar’s future policing model will be based on this proactive and network-focused approach, aimed at transforming the state’s law enforcement landscape.