A 35-year-old farmer in Chhattisgarh's Balod district has died after spending eight days in a coma following an alleged assault by a group of six men over a dispute involving his minor daughter. Police have now added a murder charge to the case after the victim succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

The deceased, Gaukaran Sahu, was attacked at his residence in Sambalpur village under the Pinkapar outpost limits of Deori police station. According to police, the main accused, Bhanupratap Jain (18), allegedly carried out the attack with five associates in retaliation after the victim had warned him to stay away from his minor daughter.

Victim Succumbed After Eight Days in Coma

Police said Gaukaran Sahu suffered severe head injuries in the assault on the night of June 30. He was initially admitted to a hospital in Rajnandgaon before being shifted to a private hospital in Bhilai due to his critical condition.

Despite intensive medical treatment, he remained unconscious for eight days and died on Wednesday.

Deori police station in-charge Manish Shende confirmed the death and said the case has now been converted into a murder investigation with the addition of relevant provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Attack Planned in Advance, Police Say

According to investigators, six accused allegedly travelled to the victim's village on two motorcycles and a scooter late at night.

Police said two of them remained outside to keep watch while the remaining four allegedly entered the house and attacked Gaukaran Sahu with sticks and a wooden rafter.

The victim sustained multiple injuries to his head, back and waist. The commotion awakened family members, including his 13-year-old daughter and relatives, following which the attackers fled the scene.

Previous Dispute Linked to Minor Daughter

Preliminary investigation suggests the assault stemmed from an earlier dispute involving the main accused and the victim's minor daughter.

Police said Bhanupratap Jain had become acquainted with the girl around one-and-a-half years ago. Following objections from the family, Gaukaran Sahu allegedly summoned Bhanupratap and his parents and warned him against maintaining contact with his daughter.

Investigators believe the accused allegedly planned the assault to avenge that confrontation.

Six Accused Arrested Within 24 Hours

Police launched an intensive investigation immediately after the attack, using forensic evidence, CCTV footage, cyber analysis and a dog squad to trace the suspects.

Within 24 hours, officers arrested all six accused from Bhilai.

The arrested persons have been identified as:

• Bhanupratap Jain (18)

• Neeraj Rastogi (18)

• Tushar Nirmalkar (20)

• Dinesh Dhimar (25)

• Kundan Yadav (18)

• Deepesh Patel (18)

Police also recovered the alleged weapons used in the assault, including sticks and a wooden rafter, along with two motorcycles and a scooter believed to have been used during the crime.

All six accused have already been produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.

Family Performs Last Rites

Following Gaukaran Sahu's death, his funeral was held in his native village on Wednesday evening.

According to local residents, his two daughters, Rupali Sahu and Deepti Sahu, participated in the final rites and carried their father's bier during the funeral procession.

Investigation Continues

Police said further investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events and collect additional evidence related to the alleged conspiracy behind the attack.

Officials said statements of witnesses, forensic reports and other material evidence will form part of the ongoing investigation as the case proceeds under the revised murder charges.