A disturbing case of violent retaliation has emerged from Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district, where a young man allegedly stabbed a woman's father six times in broad daylight. The brutal assault took place on Monday morning after the family rejected the youth’s marriage proposal upon discovering he had misrepresented his identity. The entire incident, which occurred inside a local motorcycle repair shop, was captured on CCTV.

Initial reports indicate that the suspect, identified as Sahil Maravi, had approached the victim's family under a false surname, pretending to belong to the same community. The discovery of the deception prompted the family to call off all marriage talks, which reportedly enraged the suspect. The victim, Mohitdas Manikpuri, is currently undergoing treatment at the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) and is said to be in critical condition.

Identity fraud triggers dispute

According to sources familiar with the matter, Sahil Maravi, a resident of the Kududand area near the local water tank, wanted to marry a young woman residing in the Civil Lines area. To approach her family, Maravi allegedly concealed his tribal identity and introduced himself as 'Sahil Manikpuri'.

Believing him to be from their own community, the woman's family initially engaged in matrimonial discussions. However, the family later unearthed his true surname. Following the revelation, they immediately severed all ties and rejected the proposal. Local authorities confirmed that the suspect had been consistently pressuring the woman and her family to reconsider their decision despite their clear refusal.

Brutal assault inside garage

The situation escalated dramatically on Monday morning around 11:00 AM. Manikpuri had gone to a nearby mechanic shop in the Civil Lines area to get his motorcycle repaired. Witnesses stated that Maravi arrived at the spot armed with a large knife and caught the victim off guard.

Assault Timeline: Monday, ~11:00 AM

[Victim arrives at Civil Lines garage] ➔ [Suspect approaches with knife] ➔ [6 quick stabs to chest/back] ➔ [Suspect flees; locals rush victim to CIMS]

The CCTV footage retrieved from the garage shows the suspect launching a frenzied attack, inflicting six deep wounds on the victim’s chest and back. Despite sustaining severe injuries, the video shows a bleeding Manikpuri bravely fighting back and attempting to overpower the assailant before collapsing. Passersby rushed the heavily bleeding man to CIMS as the attacker fled the scene.

Dramatic arrest near Civil Lines

Following the public outrage over the CCTV footage, the Civil Lines police formed multiple teams to track down the fleeing suspect. Acting on a tip-off from a local informant, police cordoned off a suspected hideout later in the day.

During the chase, Maravi attempted to escape on foot upon spotting the police team. However, he tripped and fell down a slope, sustaining severe leg injuries in the process. Officers moved in quickly and arrested him. He was taken into custody and treated for his injuries under police watch.

Family alleges police inaction

The incident has triggered a political and local controversy regarding women's safety and police responsiveness. Relatives of the victim claimed that just two days prior to the stabbing, Maravi had intercepted the woman on a public road and assaulted her so severely that she fainted.

"We went to the Civil Lines police station to file a formal complaint after the road assault, but the police merely took an application and sent us back without registering an FIR," a relative alleged.

The family maintains that had the police acted on time, the near-fatal stabbing on Monday could have been prevented.

Police deny prior knowledge

When questioned about the family's allegations of negligence, Civil Lines Station House Officer (SHO) Kishore Kewat denied receiving any prior complaint regarding harassment or assault from the Manikpuri family.

Local residents, however, remain on edge as this marks the second major incident of public violence in the Civil Lines jurisdiction within a short period, following a recent violent gang brawl over a minor traffic dispute. Security has been heightened around the locality, and further statements from the victim will be recorded once he is declared medically fit.

Chhattisgarh BJP Leader Alleges Rape, Blackmail by Ranchi Businessman in Delhi

Accused Sanjay Singh Arrested After 2.5 Crore Cheating Claim

A woman leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur has accused a Ranchi-based businessman of raping her in Delhi and later blackmailing her after she invested over ₹2.5 crore in a promised mining venture.

The accused, identified as Sanjay Singh, was arrested by Bilaspur police from Ranchi on Friday. Police registered the case at Civil Lines police station following the complainant’s statement.

Business Meeting Turns Personal

According to the complaint, the BJP leader, who frequently travels between Bilaspur and Delhi, first met Sanjay Singh around two years ago. Singh reportedly introduced himself as a prominent businessman with interests in mining. He allegedly convinced her to invest in coal mining projects, promising high returns and a formal partnership.

Over time, their professional interaction grew closer. The woman claims Singh exploited this trust. In September 2025, he allegedly raped her in Delhi. Following the incident, he reportedly began blackmailing her, demanding more money and threatening to make the matter public.

Massive Investment, Alleged Fraud

The complainant has alleged that Singh took approximately ₹2.5 crore from her in multiple instalments through RTGS and other banking channels. She was told the money would be invested in mining operations. When she later demanded its return, Singh allegedly turned hostile and started extortion, the FIR states.

Bilaspur police said they are examining mobile call records, chat logs, transaction details, and other documents to verify the claims. A team had travelled to Jharkhand as part of the investigation before making the arrest.

Accused Denies Allegations

After his arrest, a video of Sanjay Singh went viral in which he strongly denied the rape and blackmail charges. He claimed the police had raided his residence on May 21 and informed him about the case. Singh alleged that the BJP leader had actually cheated him of ₹80 lakh in a coal mine-related deal and described the accusations against him as false.

Authorities have not yet commented officially on the contents of the video. Legal experts noted that such counter-claims are common in financial dispute cases involving serious allegations and will be examined during the investigation.

Political and Social Reactions

The case has sparked discussion in Bilaspur’s political circles, given the complainant’s affiliation with the BJP. However, senior party leaders in Chhattisgarh have so far maintained silence, stating that the matter is under police investigation.

Women’s rights activists in the region have called for a thorough and time-bound probe, emphasising the need for sensitivity in handling cases involving influential individuals. The incident has also triggered conversations about safety concerns for women professionals and politicians who travel frequently for work.

Police Investigation Underway

Senior police officers confirmed that the case involves charges of rape, criminal breach of trust, cheating, and blackmail under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. Further interrogation of the accused is in progress.

The woman is said to be receiving counselling support. Police have assured that her identity will be protected as per legal provisions in sexual offence cases.

Background of Similar Cases

This case comes months after another high-profile verdict in Chhattisgarh where an agriculture extension officer from Balod district was sentenced to life imprisonment in a separate rape case involving a colleague. Such incidents continue to highlight challenges around financial fraud intertwined with sexual exploitation in professional networks.

Bilaspur police said they are working to complete the investigation at the earliest and will file a charge sheet after collecting all necessary evidence, including forensic reports.

The developments are being closely watched as the case involves inter-state elements between Chhattisgarh, Delhi, and Jharkhand.

Teen Girl Pushed from Running Train by Boyfriend in Chhattisgarh

14-year-old student Devika Verma allegedly thrown off Venganga Express after quarrel; body found near Bilaspur railway tracks; three detained including minor accomplice

In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves across the region, a 14-year-old Class 8 student was allegedly pushed from a moving train by her boyfriend following a heated argument. The body of the minor girl, identified as Devika Verma, was recovered from railway tracks in Bilaspur district's Masturi police station area on March 29.

According to police sources, the girl had left her home in Chichola village under Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district on the night of March 28 without informing her family. She was reportedly accompanied by her boyfriend Mohan Verma from Dongargarh and two others.

The group boarded the Venganga Express heading towards Korba. During the journey, a dispute broke out between Devika and Mohan. In a fit of rage, Mohan allegedly pushed the girl out of the moving train, leading to her death. The incident occurred in the Masturi area of Bilaspur.

Minor's Disappearance Reported

Devika's family grew worried when she did not return home. On March 29, they lodged a missing person complaint at the Khairagarh police station. Meanwhile, railway track workers spotted an unidentified girl's body near Kisana-Parsada village in Masturi. Police conducted panchnama and preserved the body in the mortuary while circulating her photo and video on social media for identification.

Local residents and nearby police stations were alerted. When news of the body reached Khairagarh, Devika's family members identified her through the images. The body was handed over to the family on March 31 after formal procedures.

Police Detain Three Accused

Acting swiftly, Khairagarh police questioned villagers and gathered leads. They took into custody Mohan Verma, Harish Verma, and one minor accomplice. Initial investigations revealed that all four had travelled from Khairagarh to Dongargarh before boarding the train to Korba.

Additional SP (Rural) Madhulika Singh confirmed that Devika was one of four sisters in the family. Her father Shailendra Verma works as a sweeper in a local high school, while her mother is employed as a cook in an anganwadi centre.

The case has now been transferred to Khairagarh police for further investigation. Officers are questioning the detained persons to establish the exact sequence of events. Police are expected to reveal full details of the case later in the day.

Family Mourns Loss

Devika's family is devastated by the tragedy. The minor was cremated on March 30 amid heavy grief. Relatives described her as a regular student who had gone to Khairagarh for her maternal uncle's wedding before the incident.

Safety Concerns Raised

The incident has once again highlighted concerns over safety of young girls travelling unaccompanied and the risks associated with elopement cases involving minors. Authorities are examining whether any local connections aided the accused, as reports suggest one of the accused had acquaintances at the police station where the initial complaint was filed.

Railway authorities have also been asked to review CCTV footage and passenger details from the Venganga Express to corroborate the sequence.

What Lies Ahead

Khairagarh police have registered a case of murder and abduction. Post-mortem reports are awaited to determine the exact cause of death, though preliminary findings point to injuries sustained from falling off the moving train. Strict action has been promised against all involved, including possible charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act given the minor girl's age.

Senior officials are monitoring the probe to ensure a thorough investigation. The case has sparked discussions on better vigilance in rural areas and the need for stricter monitoring of inter-district train travel by minors.

This tragic episode serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by adolescent girls in small towns across Chhattisgarh and the urgent need for community awareness on such issues.