Murder Over Money: Three Friends Kill Labourer, Burn Body to Hide Identity in Jashpur

 The charred remains of the victim, identified as 28-year-old Simit Khakha, were recovered near a cremation ground close to Bankitoli Bridge on October 17.

Murder Over Commission Money

According to the police, the victim and the accused were close friends who had recently returned from Jharkhand, where they worked as labourers. On the evening of the incident, the four friends were drinking together when an argument broke out regarding the commission money earned from their work. In a fit of rage, one of them struck Simit with an iron rod while another stabbed him multiple times with a knife, killing him on the spot.

Attempt to Burn the Body

After the murder, the trio carried the body nearly 400 meters away, dumped it into a pit, and poured petrol over it before setting it on fire. Their intention was to destroy all evidence and make identification impossible. Despite their efforts, locals discovered the half-burnt body the following day and alerted the police.

Identity and Arrest

Initially, the police faced difficulty identifying the victim due to the severe burns. However, once the victim’s family was shown photographs of the remains, they confirmed it was Simit Khakha. Following this, investigators traced and arrested three suspects — Ramjeet Ram (25), who stabbed the victim; Virendra Ram (24), who struck him with an iron rod; and a 17-year-old minor, who assisted in disposing of the body.

Accused Recreate Crime Scene

During interrogation, the accused tried to mislead the police but eventually confessed. They were later taken to the crime scene, where they recreated the sequence of events for investigators. A case has been registered under sections 103(1) and 238(k) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Police Investigation Ongoing

Police officials from the City Kotwali station confirmed that the investigation is still underway to determine whether others were involved or if the murder was premeditated. The incident has sent shockwaves through the Turitongri area, where both the victim and the accused lived.