Ranchi, Jan. 28: Criminal turned social worker Ram Singh, once also known as the top informer of former city superintendent of police Ashish Batra, was arrested today from his residence. Singh filed his nomination as an Independent candidate from the Ranchi constituency on January 27.

Singh is accused of shooting one Sunil Patar, a resident of the Lalpur area in 2001. A case of murder is pending against him. Sources said there are growing differences between Singh and a senior minister, believed to be his mentor and the arrest could be the fallout of that rift.

?Ram Singh had a very good rapport with the minister and was, in fact his right hand man. He evaded arrest for so long simply because the minister was with him,? sources said. It was Singh?s decision to contest the Assembly election that led to tension between the two. The minister even offered Singh money to convince him not to enter the fray, sources said.

?Ram Singh is very popular in areas like Hindpiri, Doranda and Lalpur. He also has many followers in other parts of the district,? added sources.

Supporters of Singh have dubbed the arrest the result of a conspiracy. ?The charges are trumped up. Why didn?t the police arrest him yesterday when he filed his nomination? The minister knows that his vote will be divided if Singh contests. So he bribed the police and brought up a false case,? said a supporter.

Lalpur police station officials have denied the allegations. ?We work according to orders. He had a case against him and has been arrested for that,? an official said.