Chhattisgarh is expected to witness continued weather activity over the next five days, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting thunderstorms, lightning and light to moderate rainfall across several parts of the state.

According to the weather department, the southwest monsoon is likely to advance into additional regions of Chhattisgarh around June 23, potentially increasing rainfall activity in the coming days. The forecast comes after multiple districts recorded showers and thunderstorm activity during the last 24 hours.

While rain brought some relief to parts of the state, temperatures remained high in several areas. Raipur emerged as the hottest location in Chhattisgarh, recording a maximum temperature of 40.8 degrees Celsius. Pendra Road reported the lowest minimum temperature at 22.8 degrees Celsius.

The changing weather pattern has also led to tragic incidents.

In Sakti district, an 11-year-old schoolgirl lost her life after being struck by lightning on Friday evening. The victim, identified as Deepti Chandra, was a Class 6 student and was reportedly playing outside her house in Anda village when the incident occurred.

Preliminary information suggests that lightning struck the area suddenly during unstable weather conditions. The impact proved fatal, and the child died on the spot. The incident has left the local community and the victim’s family in shock.

The fatality highlights the risks associated with lightning strikes during the pre-monsoon and early monsoon period. Authorities and weather experts regularly advise residents to avoid open spaces and seek shelter during thunderstorms, particularly in rural areas where people often remain outdoors.

The Sakti incident is not the only weather-related tragedy reported recently. In Raigarh district, a woman died after a wall collapsed during heavy rain, while two others sustained injuries. Such incidents have raised concerns about public safety as weather conditions become increasingly unpredictable across the region.

Meteorologists say the current weather activity is being driven by favourable atmospheric conditions supporting thundercloud formation over central and northern parts of the state. As the monsoon progresses further into Chhattisgarh, more districts could experience spells of rain accompanied by gusty winds and lightning.

In Raipur, partly cloudy skies are expected through the day, with the possibility of thunderstorms and rain. The maximum temperature is likely to remain around 40 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may hover near 27 degrees Celsius.

Officials have urged residents to remain cautious during periods of thunderstorm activity. People have been advised to avoid standing under trees, near electric poles, or in open fields when lightning is reported. Farmers, outdoor workers and children have been identified as particularly vulnerable during such weather events.

With the monsoon expected to advance further into the state this week, authorities are closely monitoring weather developments. Further updates are expected as conditions evolve.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Bilaspur on Monday arrested three officials of Sakti Janpad Panchayat after catching them red‑handed while accepting a ₹1 lakh bribe. The accused — Janpad CEO Nikhil Kashyap, assistant grade‑3 clerk Avinash Thakur and peon Lachhan Bhanu — allegedly demanded ₹2 lakh to release the next tranche of funds under the Prime Minister’s Adarsh Gram Yojana.

According to ACB officials, the case began with a complaint by Arun Kumar Bhardwaj of Limtara village. Arun told investigators that his mother, the village sarpanch, had received sanction for development works — including construction of a ghat and drains — worth ₹20 lakh. While a cheque for ₹8 lakh had already been issued, the remaining ₹12 lakh was pending.

Arun said that when he approached CEO Nikhil Kashyap and clerk Avinash Thakur for release of the balance cheque, both demanded ₹2 lakh to process it. He refused and lodged a complaint with ACB, Bilaspur, which launched an inquiry. Preliminary probe revealed that an advance of ₹1 lakh had already been taken via the office peon, the ACB said.

Acting on the complaint, ACB planned a trap on June 15. The complainant visited the Janpad office with the remaining ₹1 lakh, handed the cash to the peon as instructed, and ACB teams swooped in and arrested all three. The seized cash was recovered from the accused, officials said.

“The accused were caught accepting ₹1 lakh in furtherance of a demand of ₹2 lakh for issuing the sanction cheque,” an ACB officer said. Cases have been registered under sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended), and legal proceedings are underway.

Local sources allege the CEO had directed the clerk to coordinate the transaction, and the clerk had in turn used the peon to collect money. The ACB statement said the agency will examine departmental records and communications to trace any larger nexus or recurring malpractice.

The detained officials were taken into custody and will be produced before court as the probe continues. “We will follow the evidence trail. No corrupt practice will be tolerated,” an ACB spokesperson told reporters, declining to share operational details pending further action.

The incident has stirred concern among panchayat members and villagers in Limtara, who said development work was being held up while officials allegedly levered their position to seek bribes. “Funds were sanctioned for basic public works. We hope ACB action ensures justice and the release of pending money,” said a resident who asked not to be named.

The arrests come amid increased scrutiny of local governance and public fund disbursement in Chhattisgarh. In recent months authorities have stepped up anti‑graft operations targeting irregularities in welfare and rural development schemes. Observers say such quick trap operations are intended to send a deterrent message to officials who exploit procedural delays to extract money.

The ACB has collected statements from the complainant and other witnesses and will also seek to verify records related to the PM Adarsh Gram Yojana sanction and cheque issuance. Further details, including exact departmental disciplinary steps against the accused, are awaited as the investigation progresses.

Accused in brutal murder of specially-abled teacher found dead in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti

Prime suspect Timan Lal Manhar allegedly committed suicide by hanging at his residence following a fatal dispute over a ₹7 lakh land deal in Jarve village.

SAKTI: In a dramatic turn of events in the Devanand Bhardwaj murder case, the prime suspect, Timan Lal Manhar, was found dead at his residence in Sakti district on Saturday. Preliminary police reports suggest that Manhar committed suicide by hanging, appearing to succumb to the pressure of an imminent arrest.

The development comes just days after the charred remains of Devanand Bhardwaj, a 42-year-old specially-abled government teacher, were discovered. Investigations revealed that the victim was brutally murdered and his body set ablaze along with his tricycle to destroy evidence.

Deadly dispute over land

The roots of the violence trace back to a failed real estate transaction. According to sources indicated by the local police, Bhardwaj had paid Manhar approximately ₹7 lakh to purchase a plot of land.

Despite receiving the full payment, Manhar reportedly refused to execute the land registry or refund the amount. This financial friction led to a heated confrontation between the two on the evening of March 19 near a local shop.

Brutal assault and arson

Witnesses stated that the argument escalated quickly. As Bhardwaj attempted to return home on his motorized tricycle, Manhar allegedly intercepted him in an isolated stretch.

The accused reportedly used an axe to inflict multiple fatal wounds on the teacher’s neck and head. In a gruesome attempt to conceal the crime, the assailant set both the victim and his vehicle on fire before fleeing the scene.

Police recovery and forensics

Upon receiving information from villagers, the Sakti police and a forensic team reached the site to recover the remains. Bloodstains and charred debris provided immediate leads pointing toward Manhar.

"We had launched a massive manhunt for the suspect. However, teams found him hanging at his house today," a senior police official stated. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination to rule out any foul play in the suspect's death.

Impact on Jarve village

The twin tragedies have sent shockwaves through Jarve village. Bhardwaj, who was posted at a government school in Pihrid, was well-regarded in the community for overcoming his physical disabilities to serve as an educator.

Local residents have expressed grief over the loss of the teacher, while the sudden death of the accused has left the legal proceedings in a state of complexity regarding the recovery of the defrauded money.

Current status of investigation

While the primary perpetrator is deceased, the Sakti police are continuing their probe to identify if any accomplices assisted in the arson. Officials are also examining the financial records related to the land deal.

The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A detailed report is expected once the forensic analysis of the crime scene and the autopsy reports are finalized.

Future legal outlook

The death of the accused usually leads to the abatement of criminal proceedings against that individual. However, the victim's family may still pursue civil litigation to recover the ₹7 lakh involved in the disputed transaction from Manhar’s estate.