A 24-year-old woman from Punjab's Tarn Taran district was allegedly stabbed to death inside her residence in London, England, in a shocking incident that has left her family and village in mourning. The victim, identified as Kirandeep Kaur, had moved to the United Kingdom nearly two years ago on a student visa and was working there after completing her studies.

According to information shared by the family and local authorities, the attack took place on Sunday when Kirandeep was inside her room. She was allegedly attacked with a knife and suffered multiple stab wounds to her chest and abdomen. She died at the scene before emergency services could save her.

British police have arrested Daniel Sean James (44) in connection with the murder. Authorities said the accused is also facing charges related to possessing a bladed weapon. He has been produced before a court and remanded in custody as the investigation continues.

Family had sold land for her education

Kirandeep's father, Sukhdev Singh, said the family had sold agricultural land to finance her higher education in the UK, hoping she would build a secure future abroad. After completing her studies, she had obtained a work permit and had started working in England.

The tragic incident has devastated the family, who described Kirandeep as ambitious and determined to support her loved ones.

Alleged sequence of events

According to Kirandeep's brother, Gurvinder Singh, the accused had allegedly attacked another man before entering Kirandeep's residence while trying to evade police. He claimed that after entering the house, the suspect attacked Kirandeep with a knife, inflicting multiple fatal injuries.

Police are investigating the exact sequence of events and the motive behind the killing. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the victim and the accused knew each other.

CCTV footage surfaces

A CCTV video circulating on social media reportedly shows the accused leaving the premises while carrying a knife. The footage has become part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities have not officially commented on the evidentiary value of the video.

Family seeks government's assistance

Following the incident, Kirandeep's parents have appealed to the Government of India and the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate the early repatriation of their daughter's mortal remains so that her final rites can be performed in her native village in Punjab.

The incident has triggered widespread grief in Tarn Taran, with villagers expressing shock over the tragic death of the young woman who had gone abroad in pursuit of education and employment opportunities.

British police continue to investigate the case and are examining all available evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding the murder.

A 20-year-old man from Madhya Pradesh's Satna district, who had been missing for nearly three months after visiting his in-laws' home in Rewa, was allegedly murdered and secretly buried, police said after recovering his decomposed body from a village on Thursday.

The victim, identified as Vipin Kumar Yadav, a resident of Mohar Tola (Bhagdevra) in Rampur Baghelan, had gone to his in-laws' house in Tikar village under Govindgarh police station limits on March 26. His family lost contact with him the following day, prompting his father to file a missing person complaint on March 28.

Missing Person Case Turns Into Murder Probe

Initially, investigators believed Vipin might have left on his own after a family dispute. However, despite questioning relatives and acquaintances, police failed to trace him.

The investigation took a crucial turn after technical surveillance placed Vipin's last mobile location in Tikar village. Police then scrutinised the call records of his wife, which allegedly revealed frequent and lengthy conversations with a local resident, Sunil Kushwaha.

Based on the findings, police detained Sunil for questioning.

Accused Confesses During Interrogation

According to police, the accused allegedly confessed to strangling Vipin on March 27 before disposing of the body in a well.

During interrogation, he reportedly told investigators that the body later floated to the surface, raising fears of discovery. He then removed the body from the well and buried it about 300 metres from his house near a drain so he could monitor the location and avoid suspicion.

Body Recovered After Three Months

Acting on the accused's disclosure, police carried out an excavation in Tikar village on Thursday evening in the presence of an Executive Magistrate.

The victim's body was recovered from several feet below the ground. Officials said the remains were in an advanced stage of decomposition after being buried for nearly three months.

The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, while forensic experts are expected to assist in determining the exact cause of death.

Police Probe Motive

Police have taken both the accused and the victim's wife into custody for questioning. Investigators are examining whether the murder was linked to an alleged extramarital relationship or any other motive.

Authorities are also verifying ownership of the land where the body was buried by examining revenue records.

Further Investigation Underway

Additional Superintendent of Police Sandeep Mishra said a murder case has been registered and the investigation is continuing.

He said further charges will be added based on the post-mortem report, forensic examination and other technical evidence collected during the investigation. Police are exploring all possible angles before filing the final chargesheet.

A 35-year-old farmer in Chhattisgarh's Balod district has died after spending eight days in a coma following an alleged assault by a group of six men over a dispute involving his minor daughter. Police have now added a murder charge to the case after the victim succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

The deceased, Gaukaran Sahu, was attacked at his residence in Sambalpur village under the Pinkapar outpost limits of Deori police station. According to police, the main accused, Bhanupratap Jain (18), allegedly carried out the attack with five associates in retaliation after the victim had warned him to stay away from his minor daughter.

Victim Succumbed After Eight Days in Coma

Police said Gaukaran Sahu suffered severe head injuries in the assault on the night of June 30. He was initially admitted to a hospital in Rajnandgaon before being shifted to a private hospital in Bhilai due to his critical condition.

Despite intensive medical treatment, he remained unconscious for eight days and died on Wednesday.

Deori police station in-charge Manish Shende confirmed the death and said the case has now been converted into a murder investigation with the addition of relevant provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Attack Planned in Advance, Police Say

According to investigators, six accused allegedly travelled to the victim's village on two motorcycles and a scooter late at night.

Police said two of them remained outside to keep watch while the remaining four allegedly entered the house and attacked Gaukaran Sahu with sticks and a wooden rafter.

The victim sustained multiple injuries to his head, back and waist. The commotion awakened family members, including his 13-year-old daughter and relatives, following which the attackers fled the scene.

Previous Dispute Linked to Minor Daughter

Preliminary investigation suggests the assault stemmed from an earlier dispute involving the main accused and the victim's minor daughter.

Police said Bhanupratap Jain had become acquainted with the girl around one-and-a-half years ago. Following objections from the family, Gaukaran Sahu allegedly summoned Bhanupratap and his parents and warned him against maintaining contact with his daughter.

Investigators believe the accused allegedly planned the assault to avenge that confrontation.

Six Accused Arrested Within 24 Hours

Police launched an intensive investigation immediately after the attack, using forensic evidence, CCTV footage, cyber analysis and a dog squad to trace the suspects.

Within 24 hours, officers arrested all six accused from Bhilai.

The arrested persons have been identified as:

• Bhanupratap Jain (18)

• Neeraj Rastogi (18)

• Tushar Nirmalkar (20)

• Dinesh Dhimar (25)

• Kundan Yadav (18)

• Deepesh Patel (18)

Police also recovered the alleged weapons used in the assault, including sticks and a wooden rafter, along with two motorcycles and a scooter believed to have been used during the crime.

All six accused have already been produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.

Family Performs Last Rites

Following Gaukaran Sahu's death, his funeral was held in his native village on Wednesday evening.

According to local residents, his two daughters, Rupali Sahu and Deepti Sahu, participated in the final rites and carried their father's bier during the funeral procession.

Investigation Continues

Police said further investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events and collect additional evidence related to the alleged conspiracy behind the attack.

Officials said statements of witnesses, forensic reports and other material evidence will form part of the ongoing investigation as the case proceeds under the revised murder charges.

Accused woman had been planning murder for six months; attacked victim while she was sleeping, then slit her throat with a sugarcane-cutting saw

 In a gruesome incident that has sent shockwaves through Chhattisgarh's Balod district, a first wife allegedly murdered her husband's second wife on Monday night, attacking her with a wooden bed leg before slitting her throat with a sugarcane cutter knife. Police have arrested the accused woman.

The incident took place in the Nevrikala village under Balod police station limits. According to police, the accused, Amrit Bai Sahu, was unhappy after her husband Chhimmanlal Sahu (40) brought Dayabai Sonkar (47) into their home about five years ago following a relationship. The two women had been at odds ever since.

Chhimmanlal, who works as a daily wage labourer, had married Dayabai about five years ago. Police said the first wife had grown increasingly resentful as her husband began giving more attention to his second wife.

Police investigation revealed that Amrit Bai had been planning the murder for nearly six months. She had kept the wooden bed leg and the sugarcane cutting saw ready in advance to carry out the crime.

How the crime unfolded

On Monday night, around 11 pm, when all family members had eaten dinner and gone to sleep, Amrit Bai attacked the sleeping Dayabai, repeatedly striking her neck with a wooden bed leg. She then used a sugarcane-cutting saw to slit Dayabai's throat.

After the murder, Amrit Bai left the house and went to the fields, where she changed her blood-stained saree. To avoid raising suspicion, she returned home around 3:30 am.

Body discovered in pool of blood

According to village watchmen Jhageshwar Singh and Chandrakishor Gedam, a relative of the accused came to call them around 4 am. On reaching the spot, they found Dayabai lying dead on the bed, soaked in blood. The entire bedding was drenched in blood. They immediately informed the police.

Forensic team collects evidence

On Tuesday morning, Balod police station in-charge Shishupal Sinha, cyber cell in-charge Dharam Bhuarya, a forensic team and police force arrived at the scene. Investigation revealed that both women lived in separate rooms in the same house.

Police seized the wooden bed leg and the sugarcane-cutting saw used in the murder from the crime scene. The forensic team collected blood samples and other crucial evidence.

Victim's family arrives from Rajnandgaon

After receiving information about the incident, Dayabai's maternal family members arrived in Balod from Rajnandgaon. Following the post-mortem examination, police handed over the body to the family, after which the last rites were performed in Nevrikala village.

The family

Amrit Bai has two sons. Her elder son dropped out after Class 10, while the younger son is in Class 11. Dayabai also has two sons, both of whom are married and have children.

Police statement

Balod police station in-charge Shishupal Sinha said initial investigation revealed that Amrit Bai had been planning the murder for about six months. "She had kept the wooden leg of the cot and the sugarcane cutter aside beforehand for the crime," he said.

Victim had beaten the accused earlier in the day for roaming naked; attacker retaliated with 30-35 stick blows on head while victim slept on platform

A 40-year-old laborer was beaten to death in broad daylight on Monday in Korba, Chhattisgarh, in a brutal revenge attack that was captured on live video. The incident occurred on a platform under the railway overbridge in the city.

The victim, Rajesh Maharaj, a daily wage laborer, was sleeping on the platform in an inebriated state when the accused, Bharat Sahu (38), allegedly struck him 30 to 35 times on the head with a wooden stick.

According to police, the attack was a retaliation for an earlier altercation that morning. Rajesh had beaten Bharat after finding him wandering naked in a drunken state. The argument escalated when Rajesh kicked and punched Bharat, who then left the spot.

In the afternoon, Rajesh was sleeping on the platform as usual. Bharat arrived, sat beside him for some time, and then suddenly picked up a wooden stick and launched a relentless attack on Rajesh's head. Bystanders present at the scene attempted to stop the assault and catch the accused, but Bharat managed to flee.

Police were informed about the incident and a team from Kotwali police station, led by TI M.B. Patel, arrived at the scene. The body was sent for post-mortem examination.

CCTV footage leads to arrest

Using CCTV footage and the live video that surfaced online, police identified the accused and arrested him. According to police sources, the two had a history of disputes and physical altercations.

"The victim and accused had several fights in the past. In the morning, the victim assaulted the accused for roaming naked in public. The accused waited and retaliated in the afternoon," a police officer said.

The accused will be produced in court and sent to jail.

Similar crime in Chhattisgarh

In a similar incident, a fish trader was stabbed to death by his workers in Dhamtari district. The accused, angry over unpaid wages and the trader's behavior, allegedly stabbed the trader more than 40 times with knives, causing severe injuries.

The Chhattisgarh government has cleared a long-pending round of alderman appointments, nominating more than 200 members across 32 urban local bodies in the state. The Urban Administration and Development Department issued official orders covering municipal corporations, municipal councils, and nagar panchayats in the Raipur and Surguja divisions.

Raipur Nagar Nigam leads the list with 11 aldermen appointed — the highest for any single body in this round. Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Administration Minister Arun Saw had signalled in recent weeks that the process was nearly complete and orders would follow shortly. The department has now made it official.

In the Raipur division, appointments have been made across a broad spread of urban bodies including Mana Camp, Tilda-Newra, Gobra Nawapara, Arang, Mandir Hasaud, Abhanpur, Kharora, Kunra, Samoda, and Chandkhuri, along with urban bodies in Gariaband, Mahasamund, Dhamtari, and Balodabazar-Bhatapara districts.

The Surguja division has also received its list. Ambikapur Nagar Nigam is included, alongside urban bodies in Balrampur, Surajpur, Korea, Jashpur, and the Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district.

The appointments have been made under the Chhattisgarh Municipal Corporation Act, 1956 and the Chhattisgarh Municipalities Act, 1961, and will remain in effect until further orders. The government said the nominations are intended to bring broader public participation and administrative experience into the functioning of these bodies.

Aldermen, or nominated councillors, are non-elected members appointed by the government to urban local bodies, typically to bring in expertise or representation that elected councils may lack. The appointments had been awaited for some time across these bodies, and their delay had drawn attention in local governance circles. With orders now issued across two major divisions simultaneously, the remaining divisions are expected to follow.

A shocking murder case has emerged from Chhattisgarh's Mahasamund district, where a 17-year-old boy has been taken into custody for allegedly killing his 18-year-old girlfriend after she repeatedly insisted on marriage. Police said the accused allegedly lured the victim with the promise of a birthday surprise before attacking her with a stone and burying her body in sand near a stream to conceal the crime.

The incident came to light in the Khallari police station area after the decomposed body of the victim, identified as Bharti Tandon (18), was recovered from a sandy patch near a village stream. According to investigators, the accused is a Class 11 student and had been in a relationship with the victim for a considerable period.

Police said Bharti had celebrated her 18th birthday on June 19. Later that night, she reportedly left her home carrying a bag with clothes after the accused assured her over the phone that he was ready to marry her and wanted to celebrate her birthday together.

Investigators said the two met near the stream, where they allegedly had consensual physical relations. During questioning, the juvenile reportedly confessed that he had already decided to end the relationship because he did not want to marry her.

According to the police investigation, the boy allegedly told Bharti that he had a "special birthday gift" for her and asked her to close her eyes. As soon as she did, he allegedly struck her on the head with a heavy stone from behind. She died at the spot due to severe head injuries and excessive bleeding.

Police said the accused then attempted to destroy evidence by burying the body under sand in the stream bed. However, part of the body later became exposed, and villagers noticed a foul smell. Some portions of the victim's feet had reportedly been damaged by animals before the body was discovered.

Bharti's family had lodged a missing person complaint after she failed to return home on June 20. Relatives and villagers searched for her before approaching the police.

Following the recovery of the body, forensic experts examined the crime scene. Police also recovered the victim's leggings, strands of hair and other belongings from the area. Her bag was later found beneath a nearby bridge, strengthening the investigation.

Officials said call detail records and other evidence pointed towards the juvenile suspect. During interrogation, he allegedly admitted to the crime and described how he planned the murder after feeling pressured by the victim's repeated insistence on marriage.

Police believe the accused deliberately gained the victim's trust by agreeing to marry her, encouraging her to leave home on the night of her birthday before carrying out the alleged murder.

The victim had recently passed Class 11 and taken admission in Class 12. She was the eldest among four siblings. Her death has left the family and the surrounding villages in shock.

The accused was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board after being taken into custody and has been sent to a juvenile observation home. Police said further investigation is underway, including forensic examination of the recovered evidence and completion of legal formalities.

The case has once again highlighted concerns over crimes involving young couples and the consequences of interpersonal disputes escalating into violent offences.

Two bike-borne assailants fired three rounds at Purnima Chauhan outside her house; police are scanning CCTV footage to identify the attackers.

A 25-year-old woman was shot dead in broad daylight at her home in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district on Friday morning. Two bike-borne youths arrived at Purnima Chauhan's residence, with one entering the house while the other waited outside.

The assailant asked family members about Purnima. As soon as she stepped out, he opened fire, pumping three rounds into her head and other parts of her body, police said.

The attackers fled the spot immediately after the shooting. The incident took place around 11 am in the Sakti police station area.

What Happened

Purnima Chauhan, a resident of Sakti, had been working with Swamini Private Limited, a Punjab-based company, for the past four years. She was at home on Friday when the attackers arrived.

According to sources, one of the two men entered the house and inquired about Purnima. When she came out, he fired at her at close range.

The family members, who were in other rooms, rushed out after hearing the gunshots and found Purnima lying in a pool of blood. They immediately alerted the police.

Rushed to Hospital, Declared Dead

The Dial-112 emergency response team arrived at the scene and rushed Purnima to a nearby hospital. Doctors, however, declared her brought dead.

Senior police officials and a forensic team reached the spot soon after the incident. Relatives of the victim were present at the hospital as authorities conducted the post-mortem examination.

Police Launch Manhunt

Authorities have launched a search operation to track down the fleeing attackers. Police are questioning locals and scanning CCTV footage from the area to identify the accused.

So far, police have not disclosed any possible motive behind the murder. It also remains unclear whether the attackers had any prior connection with the victim or the family.

Area on Edge

The daylight firing has sent shockwaves through the locality, with residents expressing fear over the brazen attack.

"The way they came and shot her in broad daylight is terrifying. We don't feel safe anymore," said a neighbour who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Police have assured that the accused will be arrested soon and that all possible angles are being investigated. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.

Romantic social‑media posts and a puzzling hoodie in 33°C heat helped Pune police piece together the murder of 26‑year‑old Ketan Agrawal, investigators said, after they arrested his fiancée, 20‑year‑old Siya Goyal, and her alleged accomplice, 22‑year‑old Chetan Chaudhary.

Police said CCTV from Lohagad Fort showed Ketan and Siya entering together on June 18, followed at a distance by a young man wearing shorts, a hoodie pulled low and a headset. The hoodie — worn despite daytime temperatures around 33°C — and evasive behaviour on camera drew investigators’ attention and later matched images of Chetan, officials said.

The couple had announced their engagement in February and were due to marry in November. Siya’s public Instagram feed carried multiple affectionate posts with Ketan: proposal pictures, cake posts marking the month since engagement, moments of dancing and flower exchanges. Family members told police the pair had been preparing for a wedding; Siya’s 20th birthday fell on June 19, the day after the incident.

How the case unfolded

• Initial narrative: After Ketan went missing at Lohagad, Siya told relatives he had slipped while trekking. Police first treated the matter as an accidental fall.

• New leads: Ketan’s uncle informed officers that Siya had earlier suggested postponing the wedding and had repeatedly pressed to visit Lohagad. That prompted investigators to review CCTV and digital evidence more closely.

• Suspicious CCTV: Footage showed a hooded man trailing the couple. Siya glanced back in one clip; the hooded man then altered posture, investigators said. That behaviour, plus the hoodie in hot weather, made him a person of interest.

• Identification and arrests: Comparing images from social accounts and CCTV, police identified the hooded man as Chetan Chaudhary. Call detail records and phone metadata showed thousands of calls and long conversations between Siya and Chetan, suggesting a sustained relationship beyond acquaintance. Both were arrested and booked for murder and criminal conspiracy; the probe is continuing.

Alleged earlier attempt and other claims
Police allege that Siya had earlier tried to push Ketan into a gorge during a Lohagad visit on June 14; officers say Ketan grabbed a bush and survived. Family members also told police Siya may have deliberately hidden Ketan’s passport, cancelling a planned pre‑wedding shoot in Bali — an action investigators say could indicate premeditation.

Forensic and investigative steps
Pune police said they examined CCTV, call logs, social‑media interactions and matched photos to strengthen identification. Officers are continuing to collect digital footprints, witness statements and forensic evidence from the fort and surrounding trails. No further charges or additional suspects were named as of the latest update.

Why this is drawing attention
The case has drawn local media and public interest because of the contrast between the couple’s public romance and the violent outcome. The apparent pretense of wedding preparations, social‑media documentation of affection, and the unusual hoodie detail have together formed the core of police leads — highlighting how online content and mundane choices captured on camera can become crucial evidence.

What police say next
Investigators told reporters the probe is ongoing and that more details would be released as forensic reports and phone‑data analysis conclude. Officials did not provide the suspected motive publicly beyond noting an alleged extramarital relationship between Siya and Chetan and claims of coercion and conspiracy being examined.

Further legal steps
Siya and Chetan remain in custody pending charges. The police said they will produce the suspects before court as required and continue forensic tests and trail‑site examinations. Family members of the deceased have been cooperating with investigators and requested privacy.

Father-son among accused attacked victim with knife, sticks and bricks in broad daylight; live video of incident surfaces online

A 22-year-old DJ operator was beaten to death in Chhattisgarh's Korba district late Sunday night over a dispute that began with an Instagram story.

The victim, Ravi Yadav, a resident of Ramsagar Para under Kotwali police station limits, was returning home from an event when he was attacked by a group of men armed with knives, sticks and bricks.

The attack was allegedly led by Mahendra Gangwani, a local vendor, along with his minor son and several associates. The violent assault was captured on video by bystanders and has since gone viral on social media.

According to police, the dispute between Yadav and Gangwani began about a week ago over an Instagram story. The argument escalated into a physical altercation, and a complaint was filed at the local police station. For a few days, the matter remained quiet.

On Sunday night, Yadav was returning home from an event when he encountered Gangwani. The two again exchanged heated words, and the situation quickly turned violent.

Gangwani, along with his minor son and other accomplices, launched a brutal attack on Yadav. They used knives, sticks and bricks, repeatedly striking him on the head and body. Yadav collapsed at the spot, bleeding profusely, and died on the scene due to excessive bleeding.

A friend who tried to intervene was also severely injured and was admitted to a hospital for treatment.

Following the murder, angry locals gathered at the accused's house and vandalized his property and vehicle. Tension gripped the area. Family members of the deceased and local residents staged a protest outside the Kotwali police station, demanding justice.

Seven Arrested, Investigation Underway

Police arrived at the scene after receiving information about the incident. The injured friend was rushed to the hospital. Yadav's body was sent for post-mortem examination.

Police have arrested seven people in connection with the murder, including the two masterminds. According to Additional SP Lakhan Patle, the incident occurred at around 10 pm on Sunday. The prime accused, Harshit Gangwani and Mahendra Gangwani, are being interrogated.

Superintendent of Police Siddharth Tiwari visited the Kotwali police station and the crime scene. A heavy police force has been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.

The exact nature of the Instagram story that sparked the dispute is yet to be ascertained. Police are investigating the matter further.

Residents have alleged that the audacity of local goons is growing due to police negligence. They complained that incidents of lynching, feuds, hooliganism and stabbings are common in the Ramsagar Para, Motisagar Para, and Sitamani areas under the Kotwali station area.

Kanker police on Tuesday said they have arrested four people, including the deceased man’s wife, in connection with a year-old murder that was earlier treated as a suspicious death. According to investigators, 32-year-old Mukesh Vishwas was given heavy doses of alcohol and, while unconscious, was killed by applying electric current using a tubewell wire.

Case reopened

The body of Mukesh, a resident of Dalli-Rajhara in Balod district, was discovered in the Bande area of Kanker on May 24, 2025. Initial post-mortem findings showed burn marks on both hands and fingers, and the cause of death was recorded as electrocution, but the case had remained unsolved due to lack of direct leads.

“Initial reports indicated accidental death, but irregularities prompted a fresh look,” said a senior police officer who asked not to be named. Superintendent of Police Nikhil Ashok Kumar Rakhecha later formed a special team to re-investigate pending leads and revisit forensic evidence.

Electronic trail, forensic work

Police said the breakthrough came after combined technical and scientific probes. Cyber cell analysis revealed frequent electronic communication between Mukesh’s wife, identified as Saraswati Vishwas, and one Indrajit Das (31). Investigators then pursued call and location data, and matched those findings with forensic traces from the scene.

“Using technical surveillance, electronic evidence and scientific analysis, we reconstructed the crime scene and established a link between the accused and the crime,” the officer said. Items seized during raids include a tubewell electric conductor alleged to have been used in the killing, mobile phones and other corroborative material.

Alleged conspiracy and motive

According to the police charge sheet, Saraswati and Indrajit were in a long-running extramarital relationship. Mukesh had reportedly been preparing to file for divorce, and domestic disputes over the relationship had escalated in recent months. Sources familiar with the probe said the couple’s personal tensions provided the motive for a planned murder.

Investigators allege that on the day of the crime the accused lured Mukesh to a hut in a field belonging to co-accused Ranjit Sarkar. There, the accused forced alcohol on Mukesh until he lost consciousness. The men then used an electric wire commonly used for tubewells to administer a fatal shock, the police said. Afterward, the group attempted to present the death as accidental.

Arrests and remand

The four accused — Saraswati Vishwas (wife), Indrajit Das (lover), Surendra Bachhad (28) and Ranjit Sarkar (39) — were arrested following coordinated searches in Kanker and Balod districts and subsequently produced before a magistrate, who sent them to judicial custody, police said.

Impact and wider probe

Local residents said the arrest has sent shockwaves through the Bande community, where Mukesh’s death had been the subject of rumours for months. “People had suspected foul play but the case went cold,” one neighbour said. “It’s a relief that police reopened it.”

Police added that the special drive has also led to fresh examinations of several pending blind murder cases in the district. Officials said their review has so far helped crack four old cases, including incidents registered from Narharpur, Tadoki and Durgukondal areas.

Next steps

Investigators say they will now seek to complete forensic profiling and finalize witness statements before filing a supplementary charge sheet. The case will be investigated under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder and criminal conspiracy.

“Further technical reports are awaited,” an officer said. “We will present all scientific and electronic evidence in court to ensure prosecution of the accused.”

Police in Mahasamund on Thursday arrested an independent councillor and two of his associates after the body of a 31‑year‑old man who went missing from Mandir Hasoud was recovered buried in river sand along the Mahanadi, officials said.

Victim identified, arrested
According to police, the deceased has been identified as Bhuvaneshwar (31), a resident of Nakti who worked as an operator at Monet company. He was reported missing by family members after he failed to return home on the evening of May 22. Local police in Mandir Hasoud registered a missing person complaint before the investigation led to Mahasamund.

Water dispute during drinking
Initial reports indicate Bhuvaneshwar had been drinking near a liquor kiln in Mandir Hasoud when an argument over water broke out with councillor Nohr Das Ratre (also known as Golu Ratre) and others, police said. Sources familiar with the probe told reporters the verbal spat escalated into a physical confrontation between Bhuvaneshwar and the councillor.

Taken to riverbank, beaten
Police said Ratre, along with two friends — identified as Amit Singh Rajput and Hemchand Banjare — allegedly forced Bhuvaneshwar into a car and drove him to a sandbank on the Mahanadi in Mahasamund. There the three men allegedly assaulted him with fists and kicks. The beatings reportedly left Bhuvaneshwar grievously injured; he succumbed at the spot, officials added.

Body concealed in sand
After the assault, the suspects, with the help of a relative from Nandgaon, allegedly dug a pit on a small sand island and buried the body to conceal evidence, Mahasamund police said. Family members and neighbours grew alarmed after contact was lost; Bhuvaneshwar’s wife had last spoken to him around 10pm on the night he went missing, according to ASP (Rural) Abhishek Jha.

Break in the case
Investigators tracked the victim’s last known location to the Mandir Hasoud area and questioned people who had been drinking with him. “On the basis of leads and suspicious movements, we detained three persons for questioning,” ASP Jha told reporters. Under sustained questioning, the three suspects confessed to the killing, police said.

Recovery and FIR
Following the admissions, police teams from Mandir Hasoud reached Mahasamund and carried out excavation at the spot pointed out by the suspects. The body was exhumed from the sand and recovered for post‑mortem. Because the incident and recovery fell under Mahasamund jurisdiction, local police registered a case under relevant sections, including provisions of BNS code 103, 238 and 3(5), and launched a formal murder investigation.

Family reaction, local scene
Relatives and neighbours were seen weeping outside Bhuvaneshwar’s home after the body was recovered. Residents told reporters they had known the victim for years; some said the accused councillor was a known local figure, and the arrest has stirred unease in the area. Police said they are interrogating the three suspects to establish motive, sequence of events and whether any other persons were involved.

Investigative steps ahead
Investigators are awaiting the post‑mortem report to establish cause and time of death, and have seized the vehicle allegedly used in the incident for forensic checks, officials said. Further forensic analysis is being carried out on the burial site to gather additional evidence. The enquiry will also examine whether prior disputes existed between the men and whether alcohol or other aggravating factors played a role.

Public safety and probe
Local authorities have assured residents of a fast‑tracked probe. “We are following all leads, carrying out forensic tests, and will file charge sheets as evidence permits,” an officer involved in the investigation said. Meanwhile, the Mandir Hasoud police continue to assist the Mahasamund team as the case proceeds.