In a major development in the murder case of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh worker Rameshwar Tiwari in Uttar Pradesh's Deoria district, the police apprehended one of the key accused following an armed encounter. The incident occurred near Sutawar turn under the jurisdiction of the Lar police station, where Deepak Tiwari was wounded in retaliatory police gunfire after attempting to flee the spot.
Gunfight at Sutawar Turn and Seizure of Weapon
According to police officials, personnel were conducting routine vehicle and suspect inspections near Sutawar turn when the suspect attempted to escape. Upon being challenged, the fleeing accused opened fire on the police team. In self-defense, the police returned fire, resulting in a bullet striking Deepak Tiwari in his left leg. He was immediately incapacitated and taken into custody.
Following his arrest, law enforcement officers recovered a.315 bore country-made pistol, two spent cartridges, and one live round from his possession. The injured suspect was initially transported to the Primary Health Centre in Lar for medical attention. Owing to the nature of his gunshot wound, attending doctors subsequently referred him to a higher medical facility for specialized treatment.
The Background: Road Breaker Dispute and Fatal Assault
The violent episode traces back to Bhikham Chhapra village under the Lar police station limits, where 50-year-old functionary Rameshwar Tiwari resided. Tensions had reportedly been simmering between the families over an old property dispute and a localized argument surrounding a road speed breaker. Local residents noted that friction between both sides had persisted for nearly a year.
According to the official complaint, the accused group arrived at Rameshwar Tiwari's residence on October 1 around 5 PM armed with sticks, hammers, and iron tools. They launched a violent assault on Rameshwar Tiwari over their longstanding animosity. When his wife, Amrita Devi, attempted to intervene and protect her husband, the attackers assaulted her as well. Rameshwar Tiwari was first rushed to the Lar Community Health Centre and subsequently shifted to Maharshi Devraha Baba Medical College in Deoria, where he was declared dead after succumbing to his grievous injuries the following day.
Suspension of Four Police Personnel and Hunt for Other Accused
Following the death of the victim, Amrita Devi filed an FIR naming six specific individuals alongside unidentified accomplices. The named accused include Sanjay Tiwari, Deepak Tiwari, Pranjal Tiwari, Abhineet Tiwari, Aditya Tiwari, and Nikhil Tiwari, all residents of Bhikham Chhapra village.
Taking stern note of alleged laxity and dereliction of duty in handling the complaint and sequence of events, DIG S. Channappa of the Gorakhpur Range ordered the immediate suspension of four police personnel. The suspended officers include Lar Station House Officer Rakesh Singh, Sub-Inspector Rammurat Ram, and Constables Chandrabhan Bharti and Pritam Yadav. Senior officials confirmed that four specialized police teams have been deployed to track down and arrest the remaining accused named in the case.
