Inside the Bihar Land Mafia: How Gangs Lease the Right to Occupy Property

Investigators revealed that organized gangs in Patna and surrounding districts operate on a contract basis, offering a ‘lease’ to seize, evict or protect contested land. The groups, hailing from areas such as Punpun, Munger and Naulakha, receive hefty payments—up to five lakh rupees per operative—to carry out intimidation or outright takeover. The recent Patna incident is one of many where former village leaders act as intermediaries, exploiting vulnerable owners for profit.