Maharashtra ATS Nabs Jharkhand Maoist with ₹10 Lakh Bounty in Thane

Maharashtra Anti‑Terrorism Squad arrested a Maoist wanted with a ₹10 lakh bounty in Thakurli, Thane district, on Saturday, November 7, 2026. The suspect, 45‑year‑old Sanjay Sarju Yadav, also known as Godaram Yadav, hails from Devgan village in Palamu district, Jharkhand, and was a Zonal Committee Member of the banned outfit. The raid followed intelligence shared by Jharkhand Police, which senior ATS officials verified before moving in. Investigators said the militant had been hiding in the Thakurli area for ten days before the operation. After the capture, the ATS handed him over to Jharkhand Police, who then formally lodged the arrest. The handover and subsequent custody took place in Thakurli.

Context

Bounties are often announced by state governments to encourage the capture of insurgents. Jharkhand and Maharashtra police regularly cooperate on such cases because Maoist networks operate across state borders. This arrest removes a senior zonal commander from the underground chain, potentially disrupting planned activities in the region.