Ara: Bhojpur police have arrested the alleged main accused in the murder of retired Customs officer Ramkumar Singh and his associate at Dum Dum airport in Kolkata, West Bengal. A third accused was arrested in Ara as part of the investigation into the October 15 murder in Kanakpuri locality.
Superintendent of Police Awadhesh Dixit announced the arrests at a press conference on Wednesday. The main accused, Chandan Singh, and his associate, Abhishek Yadav, were arrested on Monday following a search operation involving the Patna Special Task Force (STF). The third accused, Tipu Singh, was apprehended in Ara.
According to the police, questioning of the arrested suspects has yielded important leads, including information about three alleged shooters who were hired to carry out the murder. Further raids are underway to trace them.
Ramkumar Singh was shot dead on the morning of October 15 in Ara’s Kanakpuri locality, under the jurisdiction of Nawada police station. Investigators suspect that the murder was linked to a land possession dispute involving a plot in Singhi village, where the victim had reportedly been in possession of the land since 2006.
Accused allegedly plotted murder 20 days in advance
SP Dixit said Chandan Singh allegedly conspired with his associates to murder Ramkumar Singh around 20 days before the incident. According to the preliminary investigation, the accused allegedly hired three shooters to execute the plan.
Police suspect that Chandan and Abhishek were involved in the conspiracy and fled together after the murder. Investigators are examining financial transactions made before the crime, including the withdrawal of Rs 5 lakh from Chandan’s bank account three to four days before the incident.
Money was also transferred to the account of Chandan’s wife, Chandni. Police are investigating the transactions and examining whether she had any role in the alleged conspiracy.
Investigators have also found indications that a new bank account may have been opened in connection with the case. The police are examining these financial links to establish the sequence of events and identify everyone involved.
Suspects allegedly changed identities to evade arrest
According to the police, Chandan and Abhishek had been staying at hotels in Siliguri and Gangtok under assumed identities while evading arrest. After police pressure increased in those locations, the two allegedly travelled by air to West Bengal.
The police subsequently intensified their search at Dum Dum airport, where both were arrested. Investigators said the suspects were allegedly attempting to conceal their identities at the time of their arrest.
The operation involved coordination between the Bhojpur police and the Patna STF, with searches conducted across West Bengal and Sikkim.
Pistol recovered from main accused’s house
Police conducted a search at Chandan Singh’s residence and recovered a pistol. Investigators are examining whether the weapon was used in the murder. Its connection to the crime has not yet been established.
Chandan, a resident of Barki Singhi village under Ara Town police station limits, reportedly has a criminal record involving attempted murder, firing and three to four other cases.
Abhishek Yadav is a resident of Bind Toli under Ara Town police station limits, while Tipu Singh lives in Chandwa Housing Colony under Nawada police station limits. Tipu is reportedly employed as a government land surveyor and is expected to be added as an accused in the case during further investigation.
Earlier, police arrested another named accused, Manoj Singh alias Lucky, who has been sent to judicial custody. Investigators suspect that Manoj had allegedly assisted Chandan in connection with the disputed land.
Police probe alleged land-grabbing network
According to SP Dixit, Chandan allegedly operated a network involved in taking possession of land through disputes and questionable documentation. Police are investigating allegations that improperly prepared documents were used in attempts to take control of other properties and create disputes.
The investigators are examining the alleged roles of the accused and their associates, including the possible involvement of Chandan’s wife. No conclusion has yet been announced regarding her role.
Police are continuing raids at suspected locations to arrest the three alleged shooters and establish the full circumstances surrounding Ramkumar Singh’s murder.
