Six More Arrested in Tribal Leader Soma Munda Murder Case; Total Accused Now 13

In a significant breakthrough, police in Jharkhand’s Khunti district have arrested six more individuals in connection with the high-profile murder of tribal leader Padha Raja Soma Munda. With these arrests, the total number of accused in the case has risen to 13, including the main shooter behind the assassination.

Accused Sent to Judicial Custody

Before presenting the suspects in court, police paraded them at the district police lines. The newly arrested include Daniel Sanga (44), Sumit Dal Sand (20), Markus Sanga (20), Roshan Minz (25), Sandeep Khalkho (35), and Santosh Dalsand (32). All six have been remanded to judicial custody.

Murder Linked to Land Deal Dispute

Khunti Superintendent of Police Praveen Toppo stated that the killing of Soma Munda was the outcome of a long-standing dispute over land deals and a well-planned conspiracy. Investigations revealed that the accused were involved in the buying and selling of restricted and non-Mazrua land under the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (CNT) and had ongoing conflicts with Munda over these transactions. The conspiracy was driven by economic motives to remove him from the equation.

Weapons and Evidence Recovered

Following the incident, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducted raids based on technical evidence, mobile call records, and intelligence inputs. Police recovered the country-made pistol used in the killing, four live cartridges, two motorcycles, and other incriminating items during the investigation.

Incident Details

Soma Munda and his wife were traveling by motorcycle to Khunti on 7 January when assailants ambushed them near Jamuwadag Pond. The attackers shot Munda with a country-made pistol, killing him instantly, and then fled the scene. In protest against the murder, tribal organizations called for a Jharkhand bandh on 17 January, which saw widespread participation across several districts.