Superintendent Rishabh Garg said his Special Investigation Team combed CCTV footage, traced mobile tower data, and recovered the ₹85,747 along with stolen phones in a forest clearing—an operation completed within hours of the alert.
The assault began at 8:30 p.m. on Oct 20 when the four ex‑students entered the school office with the intent of siphoning funds; one of them struck Father Barla with a small hoe‑like blade, knocking him unconscious and forcing the attackers to flee.
Police detained three juveniles—aged 13, 14 and 15—who confessed that the stolen money was used to purchase items online and at local markets; the fourth remains at large, with authorities tracing a suspicious mobile number to a nearby village.
The incident sparked a silent march led by Christian community members, with 22‑year‑old Mary T. describing the attack as a "shocking betrayal of trust"; authorities now plan to file a charge sheet and bring the case to the Jharkhand Subordinate Court next week.