Bokaro, Sept. 9: The district police today cracked the Ganesh Mahto murder case, arresting eight people, including mastermind Krishan Mahto, a distant relative.

Angry over the involvement of Krishan, also the next door neighbour of Ganesh — younger brother of Dumri MLA Jagannath Mahto — supporters went on the rampage, torching vehicles, vandalising houses and shops and raiding a nursing home in Bhandaridah, Chandrapura and Algora.

Police said Krishan, a building contractor, conspired with business partner Khurshid Ansari to let loose hired killers on Ganesh on August 27 because the latter and his MLA brother had allegedly cheated him of Rs 27 lakh. They said Krishan had built a petrol station for Jagannath Mahto and was not paid outstanding dues. This prompted him to hire killers for Rs 3.5 lakh. Krishan was also suspicious that Ganesh was intimate with his wife.

Once the name of Ganesh’s killers were out, Jagannath Mahto’s supporters went berserk, attacking the houses of Krishan and Khurshid. They set five coal dumpers, two motorcycles and Krishan’s SUV on fire. A mob also vandalised Mahamaya Nursing Home and looted wine shops. Timely intervention by Bokaro SP Laxman Singh saved the lives of Krishan’s family members.

Police said search was on for a ninth accomplice in the murder.