"Seven persons involved in the murder of Satyanarayan Rathi have been arrested by the police, eight others are still absconding," ASP Rakesh Kumar told reporters.
Rathi, the former chairman of Sarangpur town's municipal council, was allegedly mowed down under a jeep by the accused when they were trying to cut a sandalwood tree at his residence on September 14, Kumar said.
Those arrested were identified as - Rashid Khan, Aslam Khan, Zakir Khan, Mohammad Khan, Omkar Singh, Dallu and Rambabu Jaiswal, he said, adding, that a search has been launched for others accused.