Arrest in Gujarat
Ramesh Sharma, the main accused in the murder of dairy operator Jeevan Kundu, was arrested in Junagadh, Gujarat, 19 days after the killing, according to police sources. The Special Task Force (STF) and Hisar police detained Sharma along with two associates, identified as Vishal alias Baba of Bharat Nagar and Saurabh alias Mold of Suryanagar, as reported by The Times of India. The accused are being brought back to Hisar.
Hisar Superintendent of Police Siddhant Jain told Hindustan Times that the joint team of the CIA Mill Gate and personnel from the HTM police station made the arrest. The Times of India reported that the trio disguised themselves and stayed in public places in Junagadh instead of hiding at an isolated location, and police tracked them using technical surveillance and human intelligence. A reward of Rs 50,000 had been announced for information leading to Sharma's arrest.
Background of the Murder
Kundu, a dairy operator from Suryanagar, was allegedly assaulted by a group of 10-12 men on the morning of August 4. According to The Times of India, the attack occurred around 5:30 am while Kundu was transporting cow dung on a motorcycle-trolley. Hindustan Times reported that he was surrounded and beaten to death with sticks and other weapons following a dispute over dumping cow dung. The Tribune stated that Kundu was taken to a hospital, where he later died during treatment. Police attributed the murder to long-standing disputes over cow dung disposal.
An FIR was registered at the HTM police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The Times of India also noted that Kundu's family had alleged his wife, Aman, was attacked with a spear during an earlier altercation, following which a case was registered against Ramesh.
Protests and Resolution
The delay in Sharma's arrest triggered widespread protests in Hisar by khap panchayats and farmer organisations. The Tribune reported that khap and farmers' organisations refused to allow Kundu's cremation for 14 days. The body was finally cremated on the 15th day after Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini assured protesters that action would be taken.
On August 14, farmers and khap representatives shut seven toll plazas across Hisar, Hansi, and Rohtak for three hours, according to The Times of India. The next day, hundreds of protesters attempted to reach the venue of the Chief Minister's Independence Day programme at Nehru College in Hansi. The Tribune reported that police resorted to a lathicharge and arrested some protesters after registering a case. The standoff ended after Chief Minister Saini assured protesters that the main accused would be arrested.
The Times of India reported that police booked nearly 200 protesters before an agreement with the chief minister led to the withdrawal of the FIR and the release of detained leaders.
Previous Arrests and Investigation
Before Sharma's arrest, Hisar police had arrested nine accused in the case, including Bhanu Kumar, Gajender alias Gajju Pandit, and Sahil, as reported by Hindustan Times. The Tribune noted that Sharma's wife was among those previously arrested. Sharma remained the principal accused and had been on the run since the incident.
The three arrested men will be produced before a court, with police likely to seek their custody for questioning. The Times of India reported that investigators will probe the murder, weapons used, the accused's contacts while on the run, and whether anyone helped them evade arrest. Police said the role of others allegedly involved in the murder was also being investigated.
Hindustan Times reported that the arrest is likely to ease tensions surrounding the case, which had evolved from a local murder into a politically sensitive issue involving khap organisations, farmer groups, and the local administration.