Even though Bokaro police have arrested Baidhnath Mahto on Tuesday, his brother JMM MlA Jagarnath Mahto is still at large in connection with Santosh Pandey murder case which took place at Alagro village of Chanderpura on January 30.
Four other accused persons — Jitendr Pari, Kailash Puri, Suraj Puri and Meghlal Puri surrendered before the court of Judicial Magistrate SK Dubey in Tenughat, who were later sent to jail.
Nawadih police had launched a massive manhunt to track down the killers since the incident took place and took Baidnath Mahto elder brother of JMM, MlA into custody, while Jagarnath Mahto is still absconding. Nawadih police however, managed to nab two of other accused persons Ganesh Bharati and Nemi Puri.
The case was lodged under sections 302 and 34 by the brother of the victim naming 10 persons including JMM MlA who is also a candidate from Giridih constituency. The police nabbed seven out of the 10 accused following the complaint lodged by the brother of the victim Anant lal. The main accused Jagarnath Mahto however, is yet to be arrested by the police. Prominent Opposition parties of the state like BJP and JDU have started lobbying against the Dumri MlA demanding his arrest.
The police are in search of the absconding persons. However tension still prevailed in Alargo village in Nawadih block in the district as Jagarnath Mahto,s name came up as an accused in this case .
The police, reportedly, has not to apprehend him fearing stiff resistance from JMM supporters as well as different corners of the locality.
The sources have revealed that Santosh Panday had recorded his statement before the media his family members identifying Jagarnath Mahto, his brother Baidnath Mahto and eight other co-villagers for lynching him in a local Kangaroo court organized at Alagro village by the MlA on March 30.
Santosh Panday, a private tutor by profession allegedly fell in love with a local village girl was said to be the reason behind his lynching. The local villagers however, claimed that Mahto had been in general practice of organizing the ‘Jan Adalat’ (Kangaroo Court) in the villages for sorting local problems of the villagers.