Morena man killed 13 days before his wedding:Mother unaware, continues rituals, sister displays brother’s sherwani; multiple motives under probe

In Morena’s Mohanpura village, 25-year-old Jai Singh Tomar was brutally attacked and later died. The former Sarpanch, Ramkaran Singh Tomar, and his family are accused. The attack followed a long-running dispute over grazing land. Jai was supposed to get married on 22 November. Villagers remain silent due to fear of the accused. Attack and hospitalisation On 10 November, Jai Singh Tomar was beaten with sticks by the former Sarpanch and his family. He was left severely injured. Jai was admitted to Gwalior Trauma Center in serious condition. Despite treatment, he died on 12 November. Possible motives behind the murder Different reasons are being cited for Jai’s murder: Dispute over grazing land Mohanpura is part of Gopi Panchayat. Ramkaran, Sarpanch in 2005, had leveled over 100 bighas of pasture land and still occupies it. Jai repeatedly complained to officials. Ramkaran pressured him to withdraw the complaints. Villagers confirmed the land remains encroached. Attack at Jai’s house On 19 March 2024, Ramkaran and his family went to Jai’s home in Mohanpura and assaulted him. Jai ran to the roof to escape but was thrown onto the road, suffering serious injuries. The Sihonia police filed a case on 21 March based on Jai’s complaint. The case is pending in Ambah court. Threats on social media Before his death, Jai shared threats he received from Ramkaran and his family on social media. The threats were related to both the grazing land dispute and the Sarpanch elections. Election dispute Jai planned to contest the Gopi Panchayat elections in 2020. Ramkaran asked him not to run, but Jai refused. The villagers supported Jai, seeing him as someone who would work for them. Due to COVID-19, elections were later cancelled. Gold brick dispute Ramkaran had given Jai money to buy a gold brick. The supplier disappeared with the money. Ramkaran accused Jai of cheating him, though no evidence was found. Villagers said this was not a major issue. Crime scene details The attack occurred while Jai went to the market to buy gold jewellery and distemper for his house. His slippers were left at the spot. Distemper was spread across the road from the attack. The crime happened at night, and the villagers remain scared to speak openly. Family’s grief Jai’s wedding was set for 22 November. His ailing mother, unaware of his death, played the dholak and sang wedding songs. His sisters showed his wedding clothes and lehenga. The family is heartbroken, especially as Jai cared for his paralysed mother since 2012. Father’s statement Jai’s father, Bhagwan Singh, said the dispute was only about grazing land. Jai had previously been beaten by the former Sarpanch. Jai was their only son; his sisters were already married. All wedding preparations had been completed, including cards, band, and caterer. Sister demands justice Jai’s elder sister, Nisha, said Jai was kind and always helped everyone. She asked why he was killed for simply complaining about government land. She said everyone involved should face the death penalty. Police delay criticised Jai’s cousin, Vishal Tomar, said police did not reach the spot immediately. He alleged Jai was first taken to Morena hospital in a private auto, not via ambulance. His uncle claimed the local SI misled the SDM, delaying proper action. Atmosphere of fear The villages of Mohanpura and Gopi are tense. Streets are deserted. Villagers avoid speaking about the former Sarpanch and his family. Many said it was unsafe to visit the grazing land or the accused’s house. Jai Singh Tomar’s murder has shocked the local community. His death highlights ongoing disputes over land and power in rural areas. Fear among villagers shows the influence the former Sarpanch still holds. The case is now pending in Ambah court.