Bhagalpur, Oct. 18: Underworld don and terror of eastern Bihar and neighbouring Jharkhand districts, Mahendra Hansdak, was arrested last evening from Sharmari Bazaar at Pirpainty under Kahalgaon sub-division.

Sources said policemen from Godda in Jharkhand, who took part in the raid along with Pirpainty cops, confirmed the identity of the arrested man, also known as “Robin Hood” among villagers.

Bhagalpur police had been tipped off by their Godda counterparts about Mahendra’s presence in Pirpainty. “Accompanied by the forces, who arrived from Lalmatiya, Meherama and Mahagama police stations, we raided the hotel and nabbed Mahendra. His associates, however, managed to escape,” said Nagendra Choudhary, the station house officer of Pirpainty police station.

Choudhary also said since no police station in the region has any photograph of Hansdak, it was difficult for the cops to identify him. “Godda police identified him with the help of some informers,” he added.

Mahendra was handed over to Godda police. Kahalgaon deputy superintendent of police Irshad Imam said: “Since Mahendra has no criminal records in Kahalgaon and he was wanted by Godda police for a long time, we handed him over to them.”

Sources said Mahendra, a former employee of Rajmahal Coalfields at Lalmatiya, entered the world of crime 14 years ago with the murder of his brother and brother-in-law over a land dispute. Mahendra formed a well-organised gang with his brother Surya.

Mahendra’s group is also accused of kidnapping, between 2005 and 2008, several high-ranking officials of Eastern Coalfields Ltd and National Thermal Power Corporation, Farakka.

A source said: “Their victims were released only after paying a ransom. Police were unable to solve any case lodged against them.”

The source added that Mahendra enjoyed patronage of an influential minister in Jharkhand. His brother Surya also contested Assembly polls in 2009 from the Boria seat.