Shot real sister’s husband and brother-in-law:HC gave 48-hour ultimatum, dreaded gangster Kissu got arrested disguised as sadhu

In Part-1 of Madhya Pradesh Crime Files, it was revealed that on 22 May 2024, police arrested a sadhu from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The man was identified as Kishore Tiwari alias Kissu Tiwari, a figure who had long spread fear in Katni, Madhya Pradesh. Investigations linked him to the Rajendra murder case in Katni on 31 December 1986. It also emerged that a year earlier, he had similarly murdered Rajesh Soni of Jabalpur. In both cases, the victims were burned in a lime kiln. Despite these serious allegations, lack of concrete evidence and the seemingly minor nature of disputes initially made the police hesitant to act. Meanwhile, his notoriety continued to grow. The key question remained, how did an ordinary compounder become a feared gangster? How did the police finally track him down? And most importantly, could justice be delivered? These questions unfold in Part-2. Kissu began his career as a compounder at a doctor’s clinic. Though ordinary in appearance, he was known for his short temper and frequent quarrels. In 1978, at the age of 16, he attacked a man named Bhim Sindhi with a knife. Escalation into crime After securing bail in 1979, Kissu’s behaviour worsened rather than improving. He left his job and ventured into contract work and other activities. Within a year, seven cases of assault and criminal intimidation were registered against him. Between 1980 and 1981, two additional cases were filed, marking his firm’s entry into organised crime. Despite being involved in serious offences, including murder, he frequently secured bail. Gradually, his influence and fear spread across the region. Attack on a lawyer and criminal retaliation In 1992, a local criminal, Lali Suarmar, was injured in a bomb blast. Along with Katni-based lawyer Brijesh Chandra Nigam, he allegedly fabricated a story accusing Kissu of attempted murder. Kissu was arrested in connection with the case but managed to escape from custody with the help of a policeman. After his escape, he shot Lali in retaliation, although Lali survived the attack. Revenge for sister’s death Around the same period, Kissu’s sister died by suicide at her marital home. Before her death, she had complained of harassment by her in-laws. Enraged, Kissu shot Pradeep Dubey, the elder brother of his brother-in-law, in Indore. Soon afterwards, he also murdered his brother-in-law, Sharad Dubey, further intensifying his criminal record. Personal life and years on the run During the investigation, details of Kissu’s personal life also emerged. While absconding after these murders, he developed a relationship with a nurse in Jabalpur and married her. Following her death, he married her sister. His second wife lived in Jaipur, and Kissu relocated there. In Rajasthan, he spent several years as a fugitive, working as a taxi driver in a stone quarry area. After some time, when the situation appeared to stabilise, he returned to Katni and entered the property business, eventually amassing assets worth over ₹50 crore. Police pressure and final arrest Kissu was arrested in 2015, but he managed to escape again just before a court verdict was due. In 2024, the Jabalpur High Court strongly criticised the police and ordered his arrest within 24 hours. In response, a team of 18 officers conducted raids across five states. A reward of ₹55,000 was announced for information leading to his capture. Eventually, police learned that Kissu had travelled to Ayodhya with his family to visit Ramlala, leading to his arrest. Conviction and pending cases On 25 June 2025, the Katni District Court convicted Kissu in the Rajendra murder case and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Thus, 38 years after the crime, Kishore Tiwari alias Kissu was finally brought to justice. However, around 22 cases remain registered against him, many of which are still pending and under trial.