In a stunning revelation, Jharkhand Police have cracked the high-profile murder case of Padha Raja Soma Munda, a prominent tribal leader from Khunti district. The incident, which shocked the region on January 7, 2026, involved a brutal ambush that claimed the life of this influential figure in the Mundas tribe’s traditional panchayat system.
Authorities have arrested six suspects, including the main shooter, 20-year-old Marcus Sanga. What makes this case particularly chilling is Marcus’s past connection to the victim—he was once a student at Soma Munda’s school but was expelled in 2022. Nursing a grudge, Marcus was allegedly hired for a mere 50,000 rupees to carry out the hit.
The plot traces back to simmering land disputes. Daniel Sanga, a local land dealer from Hutar Chowk, had been locked in a bitter feud with Soma Munda over 14 decimals of land for over a decade. Every attempt by Daniel to develop the property was thwarted by Munda’s firm opposition. Tensions escalated further in late 2025 when a proposed 32-acre land deal in Jierappa village fell through due to interventions by Soma Munda and the gram sabha, infuriating real estate players.
On the fateful day, Soma Munda was riding back to his village from Khunti on a motorcycle with his wife when assailants, who had conducted prior reconnaissance near Jamuadag pond, unleashed a hail of bullets. He died on the spot.
Police paraded the accused through the streets in a dramatic foot march to Khunti station, drawing crowds who captured the moment on their phones. Seized items include a country-made pistol, four bullets, a Pulsar motorcycle, a car, reconnaissance bikes, mobiles, clothes, and helmets. Khunti SP Manish Toppo detailed the breakthroughs, assuring the public that all key perpetrators are in custody.
Soma Munda’s role as Padha Raja made him a pivotal voice in resolving social and traditional matters across multiple villages. His assassination has ignited widespread outrage and mourning, raising questions about land mafias encroaching on tribal lands in Jharkhand.