In a disturbing incident from Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district, a woman has been arrested for allegedly killing her two-and-a-half-year-old son and attempting to cover up the crime by fabricating a kidnapping story. The case, now part of the Latest News Today cycle, has drawn widespread attention due to its brutality and deception.

Police said the accused, identified as Sonmati Saroti Manchwar, committed the crime in the Kapu police station limits while reportedly under the influence of alcohol.

Child found dead

The child’s body was recovered from a forested area near Ranigaon hills after villagers spotted blood stains on stones along a narrow trail. A search of the nearby gorge led to the discovery of the toddler’s body with severe head injuries. According to officials, the injuries indicated deliberate assault, prompting suspicion of foul play.

Missing complaint filed

The case came to light after the child’s father, Bodhsai Manchwar (28), filed a missing complaint on April 19. He told police that he had left home early in the morning for forest work, leaving his wife and two children behind.

When he returned, the house was empty. Later in the evening, his four-year-old daughter returned alone and said her mother had taken the younger child to her maternal home.

Suspicious behaviour noted

The accused returned home the next day without the toddler. Family members and villagers grew suspicious as she failed to provide clear answers about the child’s whereabouts.

Sources indicated that her inconsistent statements and apparent intoxication raised doubts, leading to intensified search efforts by locals and police.

False kidnapping claim

During initial questioning, the woman allegedly tried to mislead investigators by claiming that unknown persons had abducted her son.

However, police said the sequence of events and lack of supporting evidence did not match her version. Investigators then questioned her more rigorously based on circumstantial evidence.

Confession to police

Under sustained interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed to the crime. According to police, she admitted that she was travelling to her maternal home with both children.

On the way, she sent her daughter back home and continued uphill carrying her son. When the child refused to walk due to fatigue, she lost her temper.

Officials stated that she first threw the child to the ground and then crushed his head with a stone, killing him on the spot.

Legal action underway

Police have arrested the accused and produced her before a court, which has sent her to judicial remand. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are examining all aspects of the case as part of a broader India News Update.

The incident has raised serious concerns about substance abuse, mental health, and child safety in vulnerable communities. As a Public Interest Story, it highlights the urgent need for awareness and intervention mechanisms at the grassroots level.

Impact and concerns

The case has triggered outrage locally and reflects a troubling pattern seen in some rural pockets where domestic stress, alcoholism, and lack of support systems can escalate into violence.

Experts say such incidents underline the importance of early intervention by local Administration and community networks to prevent similar tragedies.

What lies ahead

Authorities are expected to file a detailed charge sheet after completing the investigation. Forensic reports and witness statements will play a crucial role in the trial.

Hanuman Jayanti 2026: 1-Km Long Devotee Queue in Bhilai, Special Prayers Across Chhattisgarh

Thousands of devotees throng temples across Chhattisgarh on Hanuman Jayanti 2026, with a one-kilometre-long queue in Bhilai and special prayers at a 100-year-old British-era temple in Bilaspur.

Thousands of devotees lined up outside temples across Chhattisgarh on Thursday as the state celebrated Hanuman Jayanti 2026 with fervour. A queue stretching over one kilometre was reported at the Sector-9 Hanuman temple in Bhilai, while in Bilaspur, a temple from the British era drew attention for its unique tradition of resolving disputes in the name of Lord Hanuman.

Devotees Flock Temples

Temple doors opened as early as 5 am across major cities. Officials said the rush began before sunrise, with families carrying flowers, coconut, and prasad. Many temples reported a steady stream of worshippers that showed no sign of slowing by mid-afternoon. As per sources, the turnout this year has exceeded last year’s numbers by nearly 20 percent in several districts.

Bhilai's One-Km Queue

The Sector-9 Hanuman temple in Bhilai witnessed an unprecedented crowd. Devotees stood in a line longer than one kilometre, some waiting for over two hours just for a few seconds of darshan. “We have been here since 6 am. The queue keeps growing,” a devotee told local reporters. Temple volunteers were seen managing the flow while distributing drinking water and prasad.

Historic Bilaspur Shrine

In Bilaspur, the Shri Bajrang Panchayat Mandir located in the Magarpara-Talapara area became a focal point of the celebrations. According to temple records, this shrine is more than 100 years old and functioned as a people’s court during British rule. Locals said villagers would bring their disputes before Lord Hanuman, accepting the panchayat’s verdict as final. Even today, the temple symbolises communal unity, with Hindus and Muslims participating in the festivities.

Bhandara and Bhajans

Community kitchens or bhandaras were organised at almost every major temple. In Raigarh, a massive bhandara at the Subhash Chowk Hanuman temple saw the participation of the mayor and municipal chairman, as per local officials. Bhajan sessions continued through the day, with kirtan mandalis performing at Ambikapur and Raipur. The Shri Radha Krishna Mandir in Sanjay Nagar began a 108-chapter recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, an event that will run without a break.

Raipur's Grand Celebrations

The capital city witnessed heavy footfall at several historic shrines. At the Dudhadhari temple, priests adorned the idol of Lord Hanuman with 108 lotus flowers and a garland made of leaves inscribed with ‘Jai Shri Ram’. The 1,100-year-old Hanuman temple in Tatyapara also saw long queues. At the railway station temple and the J Road Central Library temple, volunteers prepared bhandara meals from early morning.

Unique Panchayat Tradition

What makes Bilaspur’s Bajrang Panchayat Mandir stand out is its legacy as a dispute resolution centre. During the colonial era, when access to formal courts was difficult, locals would gather here. The panchayat, held in Lord Hanuman’s name, delivered rulings that all communities – irrespective of caste or religion – accepted without question. “This temple is not just a place of worship; it is a living example of social justice,” said a local historian quoted by news agencies.

Evening Aartis Planned

As the day progresses, temples have lined up evening mah aartis and cultural programmes. In Sarswati Chowk, a new akhara will be inaugurated at 5:30 pm, followed by a grand aarti and bhandara. The Sector-9 temple in Bhilai will hold a special night aarti at 8 pm. Officials expect the crowds to swell further towards evening. As evening approaches, major temples will host mah aartis and bhandaras, capping a day of intense devotion across the state on Hanuman Jayanti 2026.