Indian coach murder suspect held

Biranchi Das started working with Budhia Singh when the boy was three Pic: Sanjib Mukerjee

Police in India say they have arrested a prime suspect in connection with the murder of the coach of famous child marathon runner Budhia Singh.

Biranchi Das was allegedly killed by three attackers at his judo club in eastern Orissa state last month.

Police said Sandeep Acharya was arrested in Goa on Monday.

Under Mr Das's coaching, Budhia Singh began running at the age of three and once ran 65km (40 miles) without rest. Mr Das later faced charges of torture.

The police in Bhubaneshwar, Orissa's capital, said Mr Acharya would appear in a Goa court on Tuesday.

The motive behind Mr Das's killing is still unclear.

The police have ruled out any link to his involvement with Budhia Singh.

There had been some confusion regarding Mr Acharya's arrest, with early reports suggesting that he had surrendered at a Goa police station.

But police officials in Bhubaneswar insisted Mr Acharya had been arrested.

Fame

Budhia Singh gained worldwide fame in 2005 when it was revealed that, at the age of three and a half, he ran seven hours at a stretch, sometimes as far as 48km (30 miles).

Biranchi Das said he took Budhia Singh under his wing after the boy's mother allegedly sold him to a man for 800 rupees ($20).

Budhia's exploits grew and in 2006 he ran 65km (40 miles) without rest in a little over seven hours.

But doctors and child rights activists condemned the run and took a closer interest in him.

Police in Orissa stopped Budhia Singh from competing in a 500km (311 miles) walk on the grounds that it would seriously damage his health.

Then the boy's mother, Sukanti Singh, who had supported Mr Das, accused the coach of exploiting her son for monetary gain.

Mr Das was charged with intimidation and torture.

He said the charges were baseless and in retaliation for not giving Budhia's mother money that she had asked for.