An emotional reunion between a daughter and her missing mother in Chhattisgarh’s Bhilai has drawn widespread attention after an 11-month-long search finally came to an end. Pooja, a resident of Bhagalpur in Bihar, reunited with her mother Babita Devi at a local ashram in Bhilai after months of uncertainty, police visits and desperate efforts to trace her. The emotional meeting left family members, ashram workers and onlookers in tears as the mother and daughter embraced each other after nearly a year apart.

According to family members, 65-year-old Babita Devi had left her home on June 3, 2025, saying she was travelling to her maternal home in Jagatpur and would return within 10 days. However, she never came back. Initially, the family believed she may have stayed back for a few extra days, but as weeks passed without any information, concern began turning into fear. Her daughter Pooja then started an extensive search across several districts in Bihar, visiting railway stations, bus stands, temples and old-age homes in the hope of finding her mother.

Pooja said she travelled across Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnia and Naugachia carrying her mother’s photographs. Posters were printed and pasted in public places while repeated appeals were made to local police stations. She claimed she visited nearly every possible location where her mother could have been found. Despite continuous efforts, no clue emerged for several months. Family members slowly began losing hope as the search stretched from days into months.

During this difficult period, Pooja reportedly visited Vrindavan and Mathura seeking spiritual guidance. She later met spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj and shared details about her missing mother. According to Pooja, she was advised to perform a special prayer ritual daily with faith and patience. She said she continued the prayers regularly for nearly three hours each day while still trying to search for her mother through every possible means.

The breakthrough reportedly came unexpectedly on May 11 this year when Pooja received a phone call while she was at a coaching institute. The call informed her that her mother had been found at the ‘Feel Parmartham’ Ashram in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh. Police officials from Banka district reportedly coordinated with the ashram after receiving information related to Babita Devi’s identity. The call immediately changed the situation for the family, which had almost accepted the possibility that they might never find her.

Pooja said she immediately decided to travel to Bhilai despite not having a confirmed railway reservation. She boarded the South Bihar Express in the general compartment and travelled overnight to Chhattisgarh. According to her, the journey was physically exhausting due to heat and overcrowding, but her focus remained only on meeting her mother after nearly a year of separation.

The emotional reunion took place when Pooja reached the Bhilai-based ‘Feel Parmartham’ Ashram. Witnesses present at the ashram said the daughter ran toward her mother and hugged her tightly while both broke down in tears. Pooja was also seen touching her mother’s feet as several people present at the location became emotional watching the reunion. Videos and photographs from the meeting quickly circulated on social media and attracted widespread public attention.

Ashram members later explained that Babita Devi had been found wandering near the Kachandur Mod area close to Bhilai several months earlier. Since she was unable to clearly remember her address or family details, the ashram provided her shelter, food and care. According to the ashram staff, Babita Devi repeatedly said she wanted to return home but could not recall complete information about her family. The only phrase she consistently remembered was “Jagatpur Banka,” which eventually became the key clue in tracing her relatives.

After connecting the clue with local authorities, police and ashram volunteers managed to identify and contact Pooja. Family members described the reunion as nothing short of miraculous. Pooja publicly thanked the ashram management for caring for her mother during the difficult period and ensuring her safety. She stated that the ashram had returned her “entire world” back to her.

Pooja also revealed that she never saw her father, who was allegedly kidnapped before her birth. Her father, Punyadev Singh, was reportedly employed as a manager with Central Coalfields Limited at the time of his disappearance. Since then, Babita Devi had single-handedly raised her daughter and fulfilled the responsibilities of both parents. Pooja described her mother as her only family and emotional support.

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In a fresh crackdown on illegal betting, Bhilai Police arrested a man accused of operating an online satta racket from inside a car in Bhilai, officials said on Sunday. The accused was allegedly running bets through a mobile application and accepting wagers linked to online satta activity in the city.

Police identified the accused as Irfan Pasha, 35, a resident of Khursipar in Bhilai. He was taken into custody by Chhawani police after a tip-off led officers to the spot where he was allegedly handling betting operations through the “Guru 777” app.

Police Act Swiftly

According to officials, the police received specific information that a man was conducting online betting near the Baikunth Dham Vatika gate in Camp-2 area of Bhilai. Acting on the input, a police team moved quickly and laid a trap in the area.

As per reports, officers reached the location and cordoned off the stretch before intercepting a Hyundai Creta parked near the spot. The accused was inside the vehicle when the police began checking the car.

Accused Caught In Car

During the search, police found the accused allegedly operating online satta through electronic devices from inside the vehicle. Officials said he was using the app to facilitate betting and collect stakes linked to wins and losses.

Investigators suspect the accused was using the mobile platform to connect bettors and process gambling transactions in real time. Police said the operation was being run in a manner designed to avoid immediate detection.

Devices Worth Lakhs Seized

During the raid, police seized several electronic gadgets and a vehicle allegedly used in the betting operation. The recovered items include a Hyundai Creta, a Dell Inspiron laptop, an iPhone 16 Pro Max and another smartphone.

Officials said the seized materials are worth several lakh rupees and are believed to have been used to manage betting activity. The devices will now be examined for digital evidence as part of the investigation.

Betting App Under Lens

Preliminary investigation suggests the accused was using the “Guru 777” application to run the online satta network. Police said the app was allegedly used to enrol users, accept betting entries and manage money linked to gambling outcomes.

Sources indicated that the accused earned money by allowing people to place bets on outcomes and by handling online wagering through the platform. Investigators are now examining whether others were linked to the network.

Case Registered

Police have registered a case against the accused under provisions of the Public Gambling Act and other relevant legal sections. Officials said further charges may be added after forensic scrutiny of the seized devices and financial records.

According to police sources, investigators are also checking transaction trails, call records and digital communication recovered from the laptop and mobile phones. The probe will focus on identifying possible links to a wider online betting network.

Wider Crackdown Continues

The latest action comes amid continued police operations against illegal online betting in Durg district. Law enforcement agencies have stepped up surveillance on digital gambling platforms as online satta cases continue to surface across urban pockets. Officials said the Bhilai online satta case remains under investigation and more arrests cannot be ruled out.

Tension gripped the Bhilai-3 police station area on Saturday after a 23-year-old man was caught attempting to sexually assault a five-year-old girl. The timely intervention of alert villagers prevented a tragedy, as they chased down the suspect and rescued the child from a secluded spot.

The accused, identified as Kishore Chauhan, allegedly lured the minor away from her home under the pretext of buying her chocolates. This incident comes as a grim reminder of a similar horrific assault reported in the neighboring Utai area just a fortnight ago, sparking concerns over child safety in the district.

The Rescue Operation

According to local sources, the incident occurred around 5:00 PM on Saturday. The child was playing outside her residence when Chauhan approached her. He reportedly took her toward a deserted patch of land filled with dense bushes.

A group of villagers grew suspicious upon seeing the young girl being led toward the thickets by the youth. They decided to follow the duo discreetly. Upon realizing the suspect’s intentions, the locals intervened immediately, securing the girl before any physical harm could be inflicted.

Mob Justice Meted

Infuriated by the act, the gathered crowd reportedly cornered Chauhan on the spot. Witnesses stated that the accused was subjected to a round of thrashing, with locals using slaps and kicks to vent their anger.

The situation remained volatile for nearly an hour until the Bhilai-3 police arrived at the scene. Officers managed to pacify the mob and took the bruised suspect into custody. He was subsequently shifted to a local facility for a medical examination before formal interrogation.

Vulnerable Family Background

The victim's personal circumstances have added a layer of poignancy to the case. Reports indicate that the girl lost her mother some time ago, and her father remains away from the city most of the year for labor work.

The child is currently being raised by a ‘Mitanin’ (community health volunteer) who has legally adopted her. The guardian was reportedly at work when the accused targeted the child. Social activists have called for better protection for children from such vulnerable backgrounds.

Police Confirm Details

Senior police officials, including ASP City Sukhnandan Rathore and CSP Prashant Kumar, reached the spot to oversee the preliminary investigation. The police have officially clarified that while it was a clear attempt at sexual assault, the timely intervention prevented the rape from being completed.

“We have recorded the statements of the eyewitnesses and the guardian. The accused was caught in the act of luring the child to a secluded area with criminal intent,” a senior official stated.

Strict Legal Action

The Bhilai-3 police have registered a formal FIR against Kishore Chauhan. He has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Specific charges include Sections 137(2), 65(2), 296, 115(2), and 351(3), alongside Sections 4 and 12 of the POCSO Act. Authorities are currently scanning Chauhan’s past records to determine if he has been involved in prior criminal activities or similar offenses in the Durg district.

Recent Crime Context

The district remains on edge as this is the second such high-profile case involving a minor in 14 days. Earlier this month, a five-year-old was raped in the Utai area by a neighbor, Dhaneshwar Sahu, who had similarly used chocolates as bait.

Public outrage is mounting as residents demand stricter patrolling in residential pockets. The latest news today suggests that local community leaders are planning a representation to the administration seeking enhanced CCTV surveillance in semi-urban patches of Bhilai to deter such predators.

African Swine Fever Outbreak in Bhilai; Over 450 Pigs Culled

Authorities seal major commercial farm in Durg district following confirmation of the highly contagious ASF virus as local industry faces massive losses.

 The Chhattisgarh animal husbandry department has initiated a massive containment operation in the Durg district following a confirmed outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF). Over the last week, the viral infection has claimed the lives of nearly 300 pigs at a prominent breeding farm in the Nardha-Mudpar village, prompting officials to cull an additional 150 animals to prevent further transmission.

Massive Culling Operation Launched

State veterinary officials moved into the Mudpar facility on Monday morning immediately after lab results from Bhopal confirmed the presence of the ASF virus. Teams wearing protective PPE kits administered lethal injections to the surviving livestock. This drastic measure was necessary as the virus carries a near 100% mortality rate among swine, with no known vaccine currently available globally.

Strict Disposal Protocols Followed

According to officials, the carcasses were disposed of using deep-burial methods in large pits excavated by earthmovers behind the farm premises. The entire area has been sanitized with lime and disinfectants. Local authorities are now moving to officially seal the farm to restrict movement, as the virus is known to survive on surfaces, clothing, and even currency notes for several days.

Significant Economic Blow Reported

Farm owner P.O. Joy reported a staggering financial loss estimated at approximately ₹1.20 crore. The farm, which served as a major supply hub for pork in Bhilai, Durg, and neighboring states, housed high-value breeding stock. Among the animals lost were 133 pregnant sows and nearly 400 piglets, many of which succumbed to the agonizing symptoms of the fever before the official culling began.

Delayed Response Concerns Raised

The farm management noted that while samples were collected as early as March 29, the formal confirmation arrived only on April 6. "By the time the reports came, 300 pigs had already died in pain," the owner stated, emphasizing that a 24-hour response window is critical in such outbreaks to safeguard nearby livestock holdings. There are growing concerns that the infection may have entered the state via transport trucks from Maharashtra.

Human Safety And Consumption

While the African Swine Fever outbreak is a catastrophic blow to the agricultural economy, health experts stressed that the virus does not infect humans. However, the district administration has issued an advisory against the consumption of pork from affected regions. This latest news today serves as a reminder of the fragility of the livestock sector, as officials monitor reports of similar deaths in forest areas of Mahasamund.

State On High Alert

The Animal Husbandry Department has intensified surveillance across Chhattisgarh. Deputy Director Wasim Shams confirmed that the department is tracking the movement of livestock and has alerted neighboring districts. This development follows a recent Bird Flu scare in Bilaspur, highlighting a challenging period for the state’s poultry and livestock industries.

Future Outlook For Farmers

The government is expected to review compensation protocols for affected farmers under the National Animal Disease Control Programme. For now, pig farmers in the Durg-Bhilai belt have been advised to maintain strict bio-security measures and report any sudden deaths to the nearest veterinary center. This public interest story continues to develop as authorities trace the source of the infection.