Police have arrested two men accused of fatally assaulting an elderly couple in Sendurus village on the night of June 2, officials said on Wednesday. Initial reports indicate the attack followed a dispute over parking a motorcycle, investigators told reporters.

Forced entry, deadly blows
According to police, the accused used a scalpetti strip to force open the couple’s house and entered through the door late in the night. The victims, identified as 70-year-old Purushottam Khunte and his wife, 65-year-old Guhrin Bai Khunte, were asleep in the verandah when the assailants struck them repeatedly on the head and face with an iron rod, leading to their deaths at the scene.

Stolen items recovered
Investigators said the attackers took a gold necklace from the woman’s neck, a nose stud and some items of jewellery kept in a cupboard, along with cash and the couple’s mobile phone. Forensic teams recorded blood-stained bedding and photographed the scene before bodies were sent for post-mortem.

Phone trace led to arrests
Police said tracking the stolen phone’s location brought them to the Palgada area in Kharsia police station limits. Devkumar Yadav (33) was detained at a roadside eatery there; the phone was recovered from him. Under sustained questioning, Devkumar allegedly named his accomplice, 40-year-old Rupcharan Yadav, both residents of Pandripani, and the two confessed to carrying out the murder and robbery, officials added.

Old rivalry, fresh violence
Sources familiar with the probe said the attackers had an earlier quarrel with Purushottam over parking a bike outside his home. “The dispute escalated into a plan to attack,” a senior officer said, adding that during interrogation the pair admitted the motive was a personal grudge relating to the parking row.

Confession links to 2024 double murder
In a further disclosure, both men allegedly accepted responsibility for a high-profile double killing in June 2024 from Mukta village in the same Malharoda police limits. Police records show that victims Magnalal Gabel and Budhwara Bai Gabel had been slain inside their home in that case. That investigation, filed last year under Section 103(1) of the Indian Penal Code at Malharoda, had remained unresolved until now, officials said.

Dealer arrested for buying stolen gold
The probe also led to the arrest of a local jewellery trader, Baboolal Sahu (50), proprietor of Khileshwar Jewellers in Jaijaipur. Police said Rupcharan sold stolen ornaments to Sahu for about Rs 84,000. Officers recovered several pieces of gold and cash from the accused’s possession and charged him under provisions for purchasing stolen property.

Evidence seized
Police listed recovered items as roughly 9 grams of gold jewellery, 5 grams of melted gold, Rs 77,000 in cash, the iron rod allegedly used in the attack, the couple’s motorcycle, and the looted mobile phone. Authorities said murder and robbery cases were registered at Malharoda police station under Sections 331(8) and 103(1) of the IPC (as cited by local officials).

Local reaction and context
Villagers in Sendurus expressed shock and fear after the killings, saying the Khunte couple were well-known for farming and lived alone as their children worked elsewhere. “They were simple people; nobody expected such brutality over a small dispute,” a neighbour said to local reporters. Police increased patrolling in the area following the arrests.

Next steps in probe
Investigators said they will produce the accused before a magistrate and continue forensic tests and scene reconstruction. Officers are also examining links between the suspects and other unsolved crimes in Sakti and nearby police limits. Post-mortem and toxicology reports are pending and will be relied on for final charges, a senior investigating officer said.

Primary keyword repetition
The Sakti murder case has again focused attention on how old grievances can turn deadly in rural pockets, and on local policing capacity to trace stolen mobile devices and illegal scrap routes quickly.

A local jeweller was shot dead and jewellery worth an estimated ₹60 lakh stolen in broad daylight at the Kotmi weekly market in Pendra on Tuesday evening, officials and witnesses said. The attack has sparked protests, roadblocks and renewed questions about law-and-order in parts of northern Chhattisgarh.

What happened
According to police and eyewitnesses, 45-year-old jeweller Pradeep Soni had closed his stall around 7 pm and was preparing to leave when three men on a single motorcycle approached him. Sources familiar with the case said the assailants grabbed a bag containing gold and silver ornaments; when Soni resisted, one of the men fired at close range, striking him in the chest.

Immediate response
Kotmi chowki police reached the scene within minutes after receiving calls from bystanders. Soni was rushed to the district hospital in Pendra but doctors declared him dead on arrival, Dr Prashant Ratre of the district hospital said. Officials recovered empty cartridges and bloodstains from the market area and sealed off the spot for investigation.

Scope of loss
Police estimate the stolen jewellery to be worth around ₹60 lakh based on initial inventory provided by the family. CCTV footage obtained from the area shows Soni leaving home in the morning carrying a bag of ornaments; witnesses said the weekly market attracts large crowds on Tuesdays, and Soni regularly visited a nearby Hanuman temple before closing his stall.

Police action
Pendra police said they have launched a multi-district search for the suspects. Checkpoints have been set up in six neighbouring districts — Bilaspur, Korba, Manendragarh, Anuppur, Dindori and Korea — to intercept the motorcycle and trace the perpetrators, a senior officer told reporters on condition of anonymity. No arrests have been made so far.

Community reaction
The killing shook the local business community. Shops in Pendra remained closed on Wednesday as traders observed a shutdown in protest. Family members, angry at the lack of arrests, took Soni’s body to Durga Chowk and staged a road blockade late Tuesday night, demanding immediate action from police and district authorities. “They killed him in front of everyone,” a relative told reporters at the hospital, declining to be named.

Political response
The state Congress raised broader concerns about public safety, saying the incident underlines deteriorating law and order. The party’s social media account described the situation as “an environment of impunity” for criminals and said major towns such as Raipur and Bilaspur were no longer safe. Former MLA Shailesh Pandey said the murder had created fear among ordinary citizens and traders, accusing police of failing to make arrests promptly.

Forensics and probe
Investigators are collecting forensic evidence from the market and examining CCTV footage along potential escape routes. The body was sent for post-mortem to determine the exact number of gunshot wounds; doctors said one bullet was recovered from the chest at hospital but the autopsy will confirm details. Police are also tracking recent incidents of jewellery-related robberies in the region to determine if there is a link.

Local context
The murder follows other high-value lootings in the region in recent days, including a separate reported theft of jewellery worth about ₹25 lakh in Bilaspur’s Sipat area on the same Tuesday evening. Those incidents have heightened anxiety among traders who say they face increasing risk while transporting goods to weekly markets.

What’s next
District police said they will present leads from the ongoing probe at a briefing later in the day and appealed to the public for information that could help identify the suspects. Meanwhile, trader bodies have threatened further shutdowns if arrests are not made quickly.

Related developments will be monitored as investigators comb CCTV, witness accounts and cross-district checkpoints for the motorcycle and three suspects.

A major jewellery theft case in Raipur took a dramatic turn after the main accused allegedly died by suicide during the police investigation into a Rs 90 lakh robbery at a jewellery showroom in Shankar Nagar. Police said the accused reportedly hanged himself inside his residence after learning that his associate had been detained. The incident has drawn significant public attention due to the scale of the theft, the rapid police investigation, and the suspected suicide of the main accused shortly after the crime. Officials confirmed that a minor accused connected to the case has been taken into custody and jewellery worth nearly Rs 10 lakh has been recovered.

Theft at Jewellery Shop

According to police officials, the theft took place late Saturday night at Lakshya Jewellery Shop located in Raipur’s Shankar Nagar area. Two masked accused allegedly arrived on a motorcycle and entered the showroom after cutting the lock using a metal cutter. Investigators said the accused remained inside the showroom for nearly half an hour and specifically targeted gold jewellery. Silver ornaments and artificial jewellery reportedly remained untouched during the incident. Since the showroom remained closed on Sunday, the theft came to light only on Monday morning after the shop owner reopened the establishment.

CCTV Captures Accused

Police teams reached the spot soon after receiving information regarding the theft. CCTV footage collected from the showroom reportedly showed the accused calmly filling bags with jewellery before fleeing from the location. Senior officers from the North Zone police supervised the initial investigation while forensic teams examined the crime scene for evidence. Officials stated that the accused appeared familiar with the shop layout and had likely planned the operation in advance after conducting surveillance of the area.

Sniffer Dog Leads Investigation

During the investigation, police called forensic experts and dog squad teams to trace the suspects. Officials said the sniffer dog followed a trail from the jewellery shop to the Gandhi Nagar-Kali Nagar road area located nearly 1.5 kilometres away.

Based on this lead, police intensified searches in nearby localities and began scanning CCTV footage from several areas including Shankar Nagar, Abhanpur, and Chandkhuri. Authorities later reviewed more than 300 CCTV clips as part of the investigation to identify movement patterns and possible escape routes used by the accused.

Minor Accused Arrested

Police confirmed that one minor accused was detained from the Kali Nagar area within nearly 12 hours of the theft investigation. Officials stated that jewellery worth around Rs 10 lakh was recovered from his possession.

Investigators suspect that the accused were habitual offenders who had allegedly attempted thefts in other locations earlier as well. Police sources indicated that interrogation of the detained accused revealed details regarding planning of the robbery and movement after the crime.

Party in Gariaband Revealed

According to investigators, after carrying out the theft, both accused reportedly travelled to Panduka area in Gariaband district where they allegedly spent time partying before returning to Raipur late at night. Police believe the accused separated after news of the theft spread publicly on Monday morning. Sources stated that the main accused allegedly kept most of the stolen jewellery and planned to dispose of it separately. Investigators are currently tracing the remaining stolen ornaments and checking whether any receivers or middlemen were connected to the accused.

Main Accused Found Dead

Police said teams later reached the residence of the main accused during search operations. Officers reportedly found the house locked from outside initially, raising suspicion. After further inspection, police discovered that the accused had allegedly died by suicide inside the house. Investigators suspect he became frightened after learning that his associate had been caught by police.

Authorities stated that the accused lived with his sisters and did not have surviving parents. Family members, however, have denied his involvement in the robbery and claimed he was being falsely implicated in the case. Police have initiated proceedings related to the unnatural death and further investigation is underway.

Shop Was Under Surveillance

Investigators revealed that the accused had allegedly conducted reconnaissance of the jewellery showroom for nearly two days before carrying out the robbery. Police said the accused parked their motorcycle near a hospital and then walked towards the showroom during the night. After cutting the shutter lock, they reportedly entered the premises around 2:19 am and escaped within nearly 20 minutes carrying bags filled with jewellery. Officials believe the operation was carefully planned and executed with prior knowledge of shop routines.

Security Concerns Raised

The incident has once again raised concerns regarding security arrangements at jewellery establishments in urban areas. Police officials disclosed that the showroom owner had earlier been advised to strengthen security systems and install a central locking mechanism. Despite the advisory, the accused managed to execute the theft successfully. Authorities are now examining whether any additional lapses contributed to the incident. Police said efforts are continuing to recover the remaining stolen jewellery and identify possible links connected to the theft network.

The Raipur jewellery theft case remains under active investigation, with police continuing interrogation of the detained accused and examination of forensic evidence.

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Mandsaur Minor Steals Mother's ₹15-20 Lakh Jewellery for Girlfriend

Teen hands over family gold-silver ornaments to underage partner before Delhi trip

In a strange case of teenage infatuation, a minor boy from Babulda village in Mandsaur district allegedly stole his mother’s gold and silver jewellery worth ₹15 to 20 lakh and gifted it to his underage girlfriend before leaving for Delhi with his ailing mother. The matter came to light after the family returned from the capital and discovered the theft.

Bhanpura police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for theft and recovered the jewellery following investigation.

Sequence of Events

According to police, the boy accompanied his mother to Delhi for her medical treatment. During their stay, he went missing and a missing person report was filed at Delhi’s Safdarjung police station. After some days, the mother returned to the village. While preparing to attend a wedding, she checked her cupboard and found the jewellery boxes empty.

Shocked by the discovery, she immediately lodged a complaint at Bhanpura police station.

Police Probe Reveals Love Angle

During investigation, Bhanpura police examined multiple angles. SHO Ramesh Chand Dangi said officers found that the minor boy was in a relationship with a girl of similar age from the same village. 

Further questioning revealed that before leaving for Delhi with his mother, the boy had taken the jewellery from home, packed it, and handed it over to his girlfriend.

“When the girl was questioned, the boy got wind of it. He then presented himself at the Delhi police station. With coordination between the two police stations, he was later handed over to his family,” the SHO added.

Jewellery Recovered

Police have seized the jewellery worth ₹15-20 lakh from the girl. Both the boy and the girl are minors, and authorities are handling the case sensitively as per juvenile justice norms.

The incident has sparked concern in the village regarding unchecked mobile phone access and growing cases of teenage relationships leading to family disputes. Local residents described it as an “unfortunate case of blind love” that could have been avoided with better parental supervision.

Family Trauma

The mother, who was already undergoing medical treatment, faced a double blow — worry over her missing son and the loss of hard-earned family jewellery. Family members said they had no clue about the boy’s intentions when they left for Delhi.

The boy has been counselled by family elders and police. Authorities have also spoken to the girl’s family.

Police Statement

Speaking to reporters, Bhanpura Station House Officer Ramesh Chand Dangi confirmed: “The minor boy took advantage of his mother’s medical trip and gave away the family jewellery to his girlfriend in the village. Through proper coordination with Delhi Police, the boy was traced and the jewellery was recovered. We have registered a case and further proceedings are underway as per law.”

Police have appealed to parents to monitor their children’s activities and maintain open communication, especially during adolescence.

The case once again highlights emerging challenges in rural and semi-urban areas of Madhya Pradesh where easy access to valuables and influence of social media sometimes lead to impulsive acts by minors.

Investigation is continuing to ascertain if any other individuals were involved. The jewellery has been handed over to the complainant after proper documentation.

A professional burglary gang has been systematically targeting vacant homes across Bilaspur's Sarkanda and Mopka areas, and CCTV footage of their operation has revealed just how calculated and organised they are. Wearing masks, gloves, and carrying weapons, the gang broke into the locked home of an engineer who had been away in Bihar for eight days, made off with approximately Rs 4 lakh worth of gold and silver jewellery, and then — in a detail that underlines their experience — locked the door behind them on the way out so that no immediate suspicion would be raised. SSP Rajnesh Singh personally visited the crime scene and has ordered police to identify and arrest the accused on the basis of CCTV evidence without delay.

The Main Incident: Engineer's Home Targeted

The primary case involves Nitesh Ranjan, an engineer residing in Vivekanand Residency colony near Chilhati Mod in the Mopka area. Nitesh had locked his home and left for Aurangabad in Bihar eight days before the robbery. On March 15, colony residents noticed something was wrong and informed his brother Ghanshyam Kumar, who lives in the same colony. When Ghanshyam reached the house, he found the door had been cut open and the central lock broken. Nitesh, checking the CCTV footage remotely on his mobile phone from Bihar, confirmed that gold and silver jewellery worth approximately Rs 4 lakh had been stolen. A precise inventory of the total loss will only be possible once he returns home.

The CCTV footage is damning in its clarity. The gang members can be seen moving with practised efficiency — entering the property within minutes of breaking the lock, locating the valuables, and then, remarkably, locking the door again from outside before leaving. This last detail is the hallmark of an experienced, methodical gang that understands how to delay discovery and buy itself time.

A Pattern Across the Neighbourhood

This is far from an isolated incident. More than half a dozen homes in the Sarkanda and Mopka areas have been hit in a series of thefts, and investigators now believe the same gang is responsible for all of them. In the same Vivekanand Residency colony, resident Vinda Dhuri returned home on March 15 after her family had been away since March 3 to find the front door latch broken and silver anklets, rings, toe rings, and around Rs 5,000 in cash missing from her cupboard.

In another near-miss in Vivekanand Nagar Phase-2 in Mopka, a neighbour named Chandu Sahu called homeowner Omprakash Dhilhare late on the night of March 14 after hearing sounds of breaking and tearing from inside the locked house next door — the home of Dhilhare's brother-in-law Punnilal Tandon, which had been empty for a long time. When Dhilhare arrived, he saw a young man fleeing the house with a sack. The intruder escaped in the darkness, but inspection of the house revealed that around ten water taps had been stolen from the bathroom and kitchen — suggesting the gang takes anything it can carry.

In Bahtrai's Deendayal Awas Colony, the home of Umesh Kumar Patel was broken into, his cupboard forced open, and a mangalsutra weighing 23.6 grams, Rs 15,000 in cash, and other jewellery taken. Locks of two adjacent homes were also found broken.

Bikes Also Being Stolen Across the Area

The gang's activities, or those of associated criminals operating in the same zone, also appear to include motorcycle theft. Teacher Ashish Bandhe lost his Honda Shine from Arpa Vihar Colony. Vikas Joshi's Super Splendor vanished from behind Tulsi Palace. Mohan Kumar Verma's Pulsar was stolen from outside a wedding venue in Bahtrai. The frequency of these incidents in a concentrated area points to organised criminal activity rather than random opportunism.

Police Link to High Court Colony Robberies

Investigators suspect that this same gang was behind a series of thefts at the High Court residential complex in Chakrabhatha a few months ago. Similar incidents in the Civil Lines area reinforce this theory. Reports also indicate that the gang had struck in Rajnandgaon district just the day before the Bilaspur incidents, suggesting they are mobile, inter-district criminals who move between cities to avoid being pinned down by any single police jurisdiction.

SSP Takes Personal Charge

Taking cognisance of the mounting incidents, SSP Rajnesh Singh visited the crime scene himself alongside Sarkanda TI Pradeep Arya and SCCU in-charge Topsingh Navrang. He directed officers to use CCTV footage to identify the suspects and ensure their arrest at the earliest. Patrolling in the Sarkanda-Mopka area has been significantly increased, and several suspects have already been taken into custody for questioning.

For residents of these colonies, the message from this gang's operational style is deeply unsettling — they are not opportunists who stumble upon unlocked doors. They watch, they plan, they come equipped, and they clean up after themselves. Until they are caught, no locked and empty home in this part of Bilaspur can be considered safe.