Congress leader’s son was shot dead after three masked men allegedly barged into a house and opened fire in Chhattisgarh’s Janjgir-Champa district late on April 23, police said. The incident took place in Karhi village under Birra police station limits and has triggered a high-level investigation.

The deceased was identified as 19-year-old Ayush Kashyap, a BA LLB second-year student and son of local businessman Sammelal Kashyap, who has also served as block vice-president of the Congress. Ayush died after being shot in the head, while his younger brother was injured in the firing.

Family Targeted At Night

According to the family, the attackers entered the house while Ayush and his siblings were asleep in the same room. Before entering the room, the assailants allegedly confined Ayush’s parents in another room to prevent them from intervening.

Ayush’s younger brother Ashutosh Kashyap, 16, also sustained gunshot injuries and is undergoing treatment at the district hospital. Their sister, Prerna Kashyap, who was home on leave, was also present during the attack.

Police said the attackers fled after the shooting, taking away cash, mobile phones and an iPhone from the house.

Business Rivalry Suspected

Ayush’s father has alleged that the murder was linked to the family’s sand business. Sammelal Kashyap told police that his son had recently become active in the sand trade and had purchased heavy vehicles, including a Hyva truck and a JCB machine.

He claimed the killing may have stemmed from rivalry in the local sand transport business. According to the family, Ayush had recently become more involved in operations related to cement and sand supply.

Investigators have not confirmed the motive, but officials said all possible angles, including business rivalry, are under examination.

Prior Suspicion Emerges

The family has also claimed that unidentified men had visited the house days before the murder and had specifically asked about Ayush. His sister told investigators that three men had come looking for him nearly a week before the attack.

That detail has now become central to the investigation, with police trying to establish whether the same men carried out the shooting.

As per reports, the attackers appeared to have prior knowledge of the family and their movements, indicating that the assault may have been planned in advance.

Police Scan CCTV Footage

Senior police officers, including Additional Superintendent of Police Umesh Kumar Kashyap, visited the crime scene along with cyber and forensic teams soon after the attack.

Officials said CCTV footage from inside the house and nearby routes is being scanned to identify the accused. Police suspect the attackers arrived and escaped on a motorcycle.

Barricades were set up on key roads in and around the area after the incident. Call detail records and local surveillance inputs are also being analysed to trace the suspects.

Probe Gains Momentum

Police said the body was sent for post-mortem and later handed over to the family. A formal case has been registered and multiple teams have been deployed to track down the accused.

According to officials, investigators are examining forensic evidence, digital records and possible local links to establish the sequence of events. No arrests had been made till the latest news today.

The case has drawn attention across the district due to the victim’s political family background and the violent nature of the attack.

District Awaits Answers

The murder has raised fresh concerns over law and order and the growing threat of violent rivalry in business-linked disputes in rural Chhattisgarh. The killing has also sparked political attention, given the victim’s family’s association with the Congress.