AHMEDABAD: More than three years after six people were killed in a family feud in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena district, one of the accused was arrested in Gurugram by the Ahmedabad crime branch.Ramu Singh Tomar, 37, had moved across several states, including Gujarat, after committing the crime, crime branch officers said. A reward ofRs 30,000 had been announced for information leading to his arrest.The killings took place in May 2023 in Lepa village, when members of one group allegedly opened fire on another family during a wedding gathering in the village.Three men and three women were mercilessly gunned down in full public view.A video of the crime, shot on a cellphone by a local, rapidly spread on social media.According to the crime branch, the killings were the result of a long-running dispute over land and a cycle of revenge.In 2013, Birbhan Singh Munsisingh Tomar and Sobaran Singh Munsisingh Tomar, relatives of Ramu Singh, were allegedly murdered in connection with the dispute. Police said Ramu Singh and his family later sought an opportunity to avenge their deaths by targeting Ranjit Singh Munne Singh Tomar and his family.A case was registered at Sihauniya police station in Morena under sections related to murder, attempt to murder, rioting, criminal intimidation and offences under the Arms Act. Nine people were named as accused. The Morena superintendent of police later formed a special investigation team to trace those who remained absconding.Acting on a tip-off that Ramu Singh was working at a warehouse in Gopalpur GIDC area of Gurugram, a crime branch team kept surveillance on Garhi-Harsaru Road and arrested him.During questioning, Ramu Singh allegedly told police that he had stayed in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana after the killings while concealing his identity. He reportedly worked as a security guard and casual labourer before taking up employment at the warehouse.The crime branch said it had verified his identity and alleged involvement in the Morena case. It has initiated the process of handing him over to Sihauniya police for further legal action.Ramu Singh is also facing a case registered at Gormi police station in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind district in 2021. The case includes charges of attempt to murder and rioting.
