DEORIA: In a major breakthrough in the murder case of RSS Karyakarta Rameshwar Tiwari, Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday arrested one of the prime accused after he was injured in an exchange of fire in Deoria district.
The accused, 23-year-old Deepak Tiwari, was shot in the left leg after he allegedly opened fire at a police team while attempting to escape during vehicle checking near Suthawar Mod under Lar police station limits.
Police said the team spotted Deepak during checking and signalled him to stop. Instead of complying, he allegedly attempted to flee and fired at the pursuing personnel with a country-made pistol. Police retaliated, hitting him in the leg and taking him into custody.
Deepak was initially taken to the Primary Health Centre in Lar and was subsequently referred to a higher medical facility. He is currently undergoing treatment at Deoria Medical College.
Police said a 315-bore country-made pistol, two empty cartridges and one live cartridge were recovered from his possession.
Major development in Rameshwar Tiwari murder case
The encounter comes days after the killing of 50-year-old Rameshwar Tiwari, who served as an RSS Samrasta Pramukh. Rameshwar was attacked on October 1 at Bhikhamp Chhapra village following a dispute reportedly linked to an old family matter and disagreement over the construction of a speed breaker.
According to the complaint filed by his wife, Amrita Devi, a group of people reached their home at around 5 pm carrying sticks, a hammer and an iron weapon. She alleged that the group attacked her husband and assaulted her when she attempted to intervene.
Rameshwar was rushed to Lar Community Health Centre and subsequently referred to Maharshi Devaraha Baba Medical College in Deoria. He was declared dead after being brought to the medical college.
FIR names several accused
Following the death, Amrita Devi lodged an FIR naming several individuals along with unidentified persons. The named accused include Sanjay Tiwari, Deepak Tiwari, Pranjal Tiwari, Abhinit Tiwari, Aditya Tiwari and Nikhil Tiwari, all residents of Bhikhamp Chhapra village.
Police subsequently formed four teams to trace and arrest those accused in the case. The arrest of Deepak following Sunday’s encounter marks a significant development in the investigation.
Police personnel suspended over negligence
The police department has also initiated action against its own personnel in connection with the handling of the case.
Gorakhpur Range DIG S. Channappa suspended four police personnel, including Lar SHO Rakesh Singh, Sub-Inspector Ram Murat Ram and constables Chandrabhan Bharti and Pritam Yadav, over alleged negligence.
Deoria Superintendent of Police Abhijit R. Shankar confirmed Deepak Tiwari’s arrest and said questioning and legal proceedings are underway. The police have maintained that the encounter occurred after the accused allegedly fired at personnel while trying to escape.
