Patna shooter used online haircut service, police tracked him with toll plaza data
A recent shooting inside a hospital in Patna shocked the entire city. The bold crime raised urgent questions about public safety and law enforcement. However, police managed to crack the case quickly—thanks to digital clues left behind by the suspect.
The Day of the Crime
The incident occurred at Patna’s IGIMS hospital, where a man was shot dead in broad daylight. The shooter fled the scene immediately. Panic spread fast, and police began a wide-scale manhunt across Bihar. What followed was a fast-paced investigation powered by smart use of digital tools.
The Escape Plan
The shooter had a clear plan. He left the hospital premises with his aides and tried to vanish. But instead of hiding in the dark, he turned to technology. He used an online app to book a home haircut. His goal was to change his appearance and dodge identification.
Most criminals don’t leave digital traces. But this suspect underestimated how easily his actions could be tracked. The app recorded the service booking, and police traced it back to him.
Toll Records Uncover the Route
Police soon identified the vehicle used in the escape. Once they had the car’s registration number, they turned to India’s FASTag system. This digital toll payment service tracks vehicles at toll booths nationwide.
Using toll data, officers saw the vehicle had crossed several plazas. It moved through Jharkhand and entered West Bengal shortly after the crime. The data showed a clear route—leading to Kolkata.
Thanks to FASTag records, police didn’t need to guess. They had exact locations and times, allowing them to narrow down the search area.
Following the Trail to Kolkata
Now, the police knew where to look. A joint team from Bihar Police, West Bengal’s Special Task Force, and Kolkata Police began surveillance in Kolkata. They checked footage from budget hotels and guesthouses in areas like Anandapur and Park Circus.
Meanwhile, they used the haircut app booking as further confirmation. The timeline from the haircut matched the toll records and hotel entries.
After putting the pieces together, police found their targets.
The Arrest
On July 22, early in the morning, officers raided a guesthouse in Anandapur. They arrested the shooter along with three of his accomplices. The suspects had moved between different hotels in an attempt to stay under the radar. But their digital footprints gave them away.
The arrest took place without resistance. Police also recovered items that may serve as evidence in court.
Why This Case Matters
This case shows how even small digital actions can lead to major breakthroughs. Booking a haircut may seem harmless, but it helped police find a man who had committed murder.
Toll plaza data also proved vital. In the past, criminals relied on crossing state borders to stay safe. Today, that strategy no longer works. Digital systems like FASTag make it possible to track movement in real-time.
Public Response and Security Concerns
After the arrest, many people praised the swift action. Yet, the case also sparked concerns about public safety in hospitals. How could such a violent act happen inside a medical facility?
Citizens want stricter checks at hospitals and public places. They also want better monitoring of criminal networks that operate across states.
What This Means for Crime Investigation
Law enforcement has entered a new era. Tools like toll data, mobile app history, and CCTV footage can now solve cases faster than ever. Criminals are adapting, but so are the police.
This case is a clear example of how technology can aid justice. The suspect tried to disappear. Instead, his use of tech made him easier to find.
Conclusion
The Patna hospital shooting was a shocking crime. But the way police tracked the shooter shows how powerful digital clues can be. A haircut app and toll data turned out to be more useful than any eyewitness.
In the end, the message is simple: in the digital age, it’s harder to hide. Every click, every booking, every toll crossing leaves a trail. And sometimes, that trail leads straight to the handcuffs.
