NIA identifies Maoist who killed ex-minister

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has zeroed in on the Maoist who allegedly killed former Jharkhand minister Ramesh Singh Munda at the behest of his political rival Gopal Krishna Patar alias Raja Peter, who is also an ex-minister of the state.

“It was Balram Sahu, a close aide of alleged Maoist Kundan Pahan, who opened fired on Munda resulting in his killing,” said an NIA official who cannot be named as he is not authorised to speak with the media.

Ramesh Singh Munda was a member of the Jharkhand assembly at the time of his murder in July, 2008. The agency has alleged that Raja Peter paid ₹4 crore to Maoists to eliminate Munda. Sources added that the decision to eliminate Munda was taken by the Poltiburo, the top decision making body of Maoists due to frequent statements of the leader against the Reds. The Politburo then asked Pahan, who was the local commander to do the job, they added.

The NIA probe has blown the lid off the nexus between the political class and Maoists in Jharkhand. “Interests of Maoists and an accused politician converged on killing of Munda,” said an NIA investigator.

The probe also revealed that Jharkhand police assistant subinspector (ASI) Sheshnath Singh had provided information on Munda’s movement to Pahan. Singh was deployed in Munda’s security detail.

The agency is now planning to record statements of some of the accused before a magistrate to strengthen their case.

The probe into the almost decade-old murder case gathered pace only after the surrender of Kundan Pahan earlier this year.

NEWDELHI: