Rewa: Poison in Roti, Beer, and Water

It wasn’t just the liquor. Or the food. Or even the water. In a chilling revelation that has left investigators stunned, forensic teams have confirmed that every single consumable item in the couple’s hotel room—from tandoori roti and paneer to beer, whisky, and a sealed water bottle—was laced with poison.

The bodies of Ravish Saket (25) and Kajal Saket (21) were recovered on the evening of April 23 from ‘The Empire Hotel’ in the Chorhata area. They had checked in just 24 hours earlier, on April 22. Police now say the couple had decided to die together after watching the 1988 romantic tragedy ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’ (QSQT), starring Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla.

A Friend’s Suspicious Role

Investigations have zeroed in on a third individual, Atul Saket, a friend of the deceased man. Sources familiar with the matter said Atul’s role was not merely passive.

He allegedly arranged the hotel room, paid a ₹500 advance using his own ID, and facilitated the couple’s escape from their families. On the night of April 22, while both families were frantically searching, Atul deliberately misled them. He told Kajal’s relatives he had no information, while informing Ravish’s family that the boy had simply left the bus stand.

"It was Atul who arranged for the room, the food, and possibly the poison," a police officer involved in the probe said, requesting anonymity.

Family Opposition to Relationship

The core trigger, according to preliminary police inquiries, remains familial opposition to the relationship. Both families live in the Bela Saket locality, roughly 25 km from Rewa, and were neighbours. Neither side was agreeable to the marriage.

Kajal’s mother, Manju Saket, said her daughter had returned from Mumbai just two days before the incident, where she worked a corporate job and lived with family. “She left home saying she was going shopping,” the mother said, still in disbelief. Ravish had told his family he was attending a wedding procession.

‘How Could They Drink So Much Alone?’

The forensic autopsy and scene details have raised more questions than answers. Four bottles of alcohol and beer were recovered from the room, along with four small boxes of an unidentified poison.

Ramkaran Saket, the boy’s grandfather, voiced a suspicion that echoes across the grieving families. “How could two people consume this much alcohol on their own? Something is being hidden,” he said. He has demanded access to hotel CCTV footage, alleging that others may have entered the room. The family also accused the police and hotel staff of removing the bodies before relatives could arrive, and of not preserving Kajal’s body in a deep freezer, leading to decomposition.

The ‘QSQT’ Connection

A darker psychological layer has emerged. Investigators confirmed the couple had recently watched ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’—a film famous for its tragic ending where lovers are separated by death. Officials are examining their phone and browsing history to understand if the film acted as a direct catalyst.

While authorities caution against blaming cinema alone, they admit the timing is stark. The probe is also looking into other videos and content the couple consumed in the days before the suicide.

Police: Social Pressure Primary Cause

Chorhata Police Station in-charge, Vijay Singh, stated that while the friend’s role is suspicious, the primary cause appears to be social and domestic pressure. “Initial reports point to a love relationship and the families’ refusal to accept it. The friend misled both sides, but the final decision was theirs,” Singh said.

A formal marg (inquest) has been registered. Police are questioning hotel staff, reviewing missing CCTV footage, and have detained Atul Saket for sustained interrogation. The hotel management is also under scrutiny for allowing the couple to check in without valid ID proof, taking only Atul’s identification.

Kajal’s father, fighting back tears, told reporters he was unaware of the relationship. “Had we known, we would have tried to handle the situation. We never imagined this.” Ravish’s father added, “I was misled. Otherwise my son would be alive today.”

Indore Fire Mystery Deepens: Conflicting Theories, Awaiting Final Report Six Days On

Nearly a week after the Tilak Nagar blaze claimed eight lives, authorities are still piecing together the exact sequence of events, with a final combined report expected to settle conflicting theories.

A Waiting Game for Answers

Six days after a devastating fire engulfed a three-storey house in Indore’s Tilak Nagar, the question of what caused the tragedy remains unanswered. Police, forensic experts, and the electricity department are all investigating, but conflicting statements from family members and technical complexities have shrouded the case in mystery. Officials are now awaiting a consolidated report from the fire brigade, power company, and forensic teams to determine the definitive cause.

Two Brothers, Two Theories

The investigation has been complicated by contradictory accounts from the Pugalia family’s surviving sons. Initially, Police Commissioner Santosh Singh pointed to a short circuit during the charging of a Tata Punch EV parked outside. Survivor Harshit, the younger son, supported this, stating he had plugged the car in at night.

However, the narrative shifted two days later when elder son Saurabh, during a visit by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, rejected the EV theory. He alleged that a spark from a faulty electric pole near the house ignited the fire, a complaint the family claims was previously ignored. These conflicting versions have left investigators sifting through evidence to establish the primary ignition source.

Power Company Data Disputes Claims

As officials dig deeper, the West Zone Electricity Distribution Company has presented data challenging both theories. Officials stated the house had a smart meter that recorded minute-by-minute electricity consumption.

According to the data, the EV was plugged in at 11 PM and charged until approximately 3 AM, when a system fault triggered an automatic power cut-off. By 4:15 AM, the household load had dropped to zero. While the data confirms a technical fault, it does not conclusively pinpoint whether the fire originated from the vehicle or the external pole, leaving the question open for forensic analysis.

Floor-Wise Horror Unfolds

As the investigation continues, the tragic details of the night reveal a desperate struggle for survival. On the ground floor, owner Manoj Pugalia and his wife found their main door jammed as the metal expanded from the intense heat. Manoj, along with Vijay Sethia and Karthik, were later found dead near the door.

On the first floor, a balcony became a lifeline for Saurabh, Saumil, Harshit, and their mother, who were rescued by neighbours. But the second floor turned fatal. The staircase acted like a chimney, channeling toxic smoke upwards. Simran and Manoj Pugalia were found dead there, with Simran’s body discovered near the door, indicating a final attempt to escape.

Key Evidence Under Scrutiny

Investigators are relying on physical evidence to break the deadlock. Tilak Nagar police station in-charge Manish Lodha confirmed that all eight deaths were due to suffocation and burns, as per postmortem reports.

Critical evidence includes a severely damaged CCTV DVR, now sent for forensic recovery, and burnt electrical equipment seized to identify the fault’s origin. Experts from Tata Motors have also inspected the charred EV, and their report will be crucial in determining if a manufacturing defect played a role in the incident.

What Next for the Probe

With the exact cause still unclear, the investigation now hinges on a multi-agency report. The combined findings from the fire department, electricity company, and forensic experts are expected to provide the final answer. Until that report is submitted, the question of whether a vehicle charging fault or a failing power infrastructure led to the Indore blaze remains a central point of contention for authorities and the grieving families.