Dispute over spitting at village fair leads to murder in Ratlam

Indore: An altercation over spitting during a ride in a boat-shaped swing at a village fair allegedly ended in murder in Ratlam’s Alot area.Five persons, including two juveniles, were arrested for forcing a 21-year-old youth to consume poisonous substance after the altercation at fair ground.Police said that the victim, Krishnapal Singh of Khamariya village, had gone to Dharola fair on May 19 when he allegedly spat while sitting inside boat-shaped swing. The spit fell on a person sitting on the opposite end of the swing, triggering an argument between the two at the fair itself.Investigators said that the other person later stopped Krishnapal while he was returning home and allegedly forced him to consume poisonous substance. Krishnapal was later found staggering on the road by villagers, who took him to a hospital where doctors declared him dead.The death sparked protests in the area, with family members and villagers placing the body outside Alot police station late in the night and staging a road blockade demanding arrest of the killers. The protest was withdrawn after police assured strict action, but the family again blocked traffic at Kargil Square the next day alleging delay in action.The complaint was lodged by the victim’s uncle Shyam Singh Sondhiya Rajput, who accused five persons of killing Krishnapal by forcing him to consume pesticide after the dispute at fair.Ratlam SP Amit Kumar formed a special team to investigate the case. On Thursday night, police arrested Kuldeep Singh (22), Yuvraj Singh (18), Govind Singh (24), all residents of Moonj village, along with two juveniles.Alot SDOP Pallavi Gaur said that the accused admitted to their involvement in the case during interrogation.