BJYM leader arrested in connection to murder of forest guard in Morena: Police

Bhopal: A Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader Sonu Chauhan was arrested the Madhya Pradesh police on Thursday in connection with the murder of forest guard Harikesh Gurjar (33), who was crushed to death a day earlier while trying to stop a tractor-trolley laden with illegally mined sand from Chambal river in Ambah range of Morena drict.Tractor driver Vinod Kori is absconding. (Shutterstock)Police said the tractor used for the crime is owned Chauhan who is allegedly involved in sand mining with another person, Pawan Tomar, said police. Tomar is said to be the member of the same organisation.“Sonu Chauhan was found to be the owner of the tractor…Pawan Tomar is also the partner. Police are investigating his role and will take action accordingly,” Sameer Saurabh, superintendent of police, Morena, said.Tractor driver Vinod Kori is absconding, police said.Also Read:Morena forest guard killed sand mining mafia: Police“We are investigating the matter and will take action accordingly,” said BJP drict president Kamlesh Kushwaha.The Supreme Court is hearing a case related to sand mining in Chambal river and has taken suo motu cognisance of the case. A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta referred to the incident on Thursday. The case is likely to be taken up again next week.Range officer Veer Kumar Tirki, forest guards Shatrughan Singh, Avdhesh Kushwah, and Vinod Mahor, and Harikesh’s brother-in-law, Gaurav Gurjar were present at the spot when Kori ran over the forest guard on Wednesday.“I was returning to my home in Morena and driving my own vehicle, following closely behind the inspection team. Near the Ranpur Tiraaha (junction), a tractor-trolley carrying sand was spotted approaching from the direction of Veerpur Kuthiyana. Upon receiving instructions to intercept it, my brother-in-law Harikesh stepped out of his vehicle and signalled the driver to stop the tractor,” said Gurjar.“Initially the driver slowed down but suddenly accelerated and rammed into my brother-in-law. Right before my eyes, his head was crushed,” Gurjar added.Kori subsequently drove the tractor to near petrol pump where he changed his clothes, unloaded the sand and fled, police said.