A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against BJP MLA Ramkumar Toppo and about 10 of his supporters after an alleged assault on Rajapur’s naib tehsildar, officials said on Monday. The incident on the evening of May 27 has triggered a shutdown of tehsil offices and a protest by junior administrative officers across the district.

What happened
According to police records and administrative sources, the naib tehsildar of Rajapur, Tushar Manik, was allegedly assaulted in Rajapur by Toppo and his supporters when he had gone there to sign a file connected to a land document. Initial reports indicate the confrontation began after a dispute over processing a branch-shodh (land record) application filed on May 14 by the MLA’s relative, and escalated when the naib tehsildar was summoned back to Rajapur from Sitapur.

FIR and counter-FIR
An FIR against Toppo and his associates—named in police papers as Yusuf, Nazim Raja, Pankaj Gupta and others—was lodged under multiple sections including obstruction of public servants and assault. A counter-FIR has also been registered after a complaint from the MLA’s camp, police said. Both cases are under investigation by the Sitapur police.

Officials’ response
Local administration sources said tehsildars and naib tehsildars met Surguja Collector Ajit Vasant on Monday morning. Following the meeting, junior administrative officers staged a sit-in at Kalakendra ground, pressing for the MLA’s arrest and immediate action. “Unless appropriate action is taken, the agitation will continue,” a senior local officer said on condition of anonymity.

Victim’s demand: narco test
The alleged victim, Tushar Manik, told reporters he wants a narco analysis for himself and the MLA to establish facts, and he urged authorities to order the test. “We want the truth to come out. Until a proper probe is completed, our strike will continue,” Manik said. Toppo, contacted by phone, said he is ready to cooperate with all investigations and submit to tests if required, but has not clearly indicated whether he will surrender to police.

Political reaction
Congress state president Deepak Baij criticised the state government and the BJP, calling the episode an example of “gundagardi” by party workers and accusing the administration of double standards. “The chief minister must say whether his MLA will be arrested,” Baij said on social media. Former deputy chief minister T.S. Singhdev described the incident as unfortunate and stressed that rule of law must prevail if an FIR exists.

Ground-level impact
Tehsil offices in Surguja remain technically open but routine work has come to a halt, officials at the district headquarters said. Citizens seeking land certificates and other services faced delays on Monday as scores of administrative staff took part in the protest. “Public work is suffering. People have to wait while the administration sorts this out,” a local resident in Rajapur said.

Timeline and movements
Police records show the altercation took place around 6pm on May 27. Toppo had already reportedly returned to Sitapur when the naib tehsildar was called back to Rajapur. The MLA later travelled towards Ambikapur but was stopped by supporters at Mangari and returned to Sitapur, according to local accounts. There were reports that the MLA spent the night at the rest house with supporters.

What happens next
Investigating officers said statements are being recorded and evidence collected; forensic or medical reports from the alleged assault are awaited. The district administration is expected to furnish a status update after preliminary inquiries. Sources said any order for narco analysis would require court permission or a directive from higher police authorities.

Related developments
The episode has become a political flashpoint in Surguja, with both ruling and opposition camps using social media to press their narratives. District police said they will act as per law once investigations yield conclusive evidence.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken charge of the probe into the suspicious death of actress Twisha Sharma, re-registering an FIR that names her husband, Samarth Singh, and mother-in-law and retired judge Giribala Singh, officials said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, applications to preserve call detail records (CDR) and CCTV footage are scheduled for hearing in a Bhopal district court today.

CBI re-registers FIR
According to officials, the CBI team that reached Bhopal on Monday evening re-registered the FIR originally filed at Katara Hills police station. The fresh FIR is reportedly framed under sections related to dowry death after preliminary material suggested demands for additional money. Sources familiar with the investigation said the agency has recorded new entries following spot verification and interviews.

Court applications today
Twisha’s family has moved the Bhopal district court seeking preservation of her CDR, filed through their lawyer Ankur Pandey. Separately, Giribala Singh’s side has applied for the preservation of CCTV footage. Both petitions are listed for hearing this morning, court records show. Local police have not yet placed any report before the court; officials said that step was pending because the probe is now with the CBI.

Forensic belt under examination
Police and investigating officers confirmed the gymnastic belt alleged to have been used in the hanging was taken into custody. DCP Vikas Kumar Shahwal told reporters the belt was handed to a medical team after the first post-mortem and later retained by the SIT. The item was despatched to the forensic laboratory in Sagar about a week ago and remains under analysis. The Delhi AIIMS team’s request for further tests prompted additional correspondence between the city police, FSL and the cyber cell, officials added.

SIT searches and questioning
A special investigation team visited Samarth Singh’s home in Bag Mugalia Extension on Monday around 7:30 pm and carried out spot verification. Samarth and Giribala were questioned for roughly two-and-a-half hours. Police sources said Samarth told investigators Twisha had been under stress after a recent abortion and reiterated that he and his family had given her Rs 7 lakh at the time of marriage.

Delay in reporting under scrutiny
Twisha was found hanging on the night of May 12 at the Katara Hills residence; the case was formally registered at AIIMS Bhopal on the morning of May 13. The CBI will probe why the information reached the police late and whether any evidence was tampered with before official reporting. Family members have alleged deliberate delay in informing the police, accusing the in-laws of attempting to influence the crime scene. The new FIR reportedly notes possible interference with evidence and delays in notifying authorities.

Legal developments at higher courts
The case drew national attention this week when the Supreme Court took suo motu notice and heard arguments on Monday. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud (reported earlier as part of the bench) cautioned media against running after statements from either side and urged the matter be allowed to proceed within legal bounds. Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued notice to Giribala Singh following petitions by the state government and Twisha’s father, Navnidhi Sharma, challenging her anticipatory bail and alleging lack of cooperation with investigators.

Second post-mortem, funeral held
A Delhi AIIMS team conducted a second post-mortem at Bhopal AIIMS on May 24, twelve days after the initial autopsy. Twisha’s last rites took place the same evening at Bhadbhada crematorium; her brother, Major Harshit, performed the final rites, family sources said.

What happens next
With the CBI now leading the investigation, the case is likely to be transferred to a special court in due course, officials indicated. Today's district court hearing on preserving digital and CCTV records could determine what evidence remains immediately accessible to investigators. Forensic reports on the belt and other material are awaited and expected to shape the agency’s next steps.

Vedanta Plant Blast: FIR Against Anil Agarwal, 9 Others for Safety Lapses

20 Workers Confirmed Dead

At least 20 labourers have lost their lives following a catastrophic boiler explosion at the Vedanta power plant in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district. The death toll is expected to remain static as rescue operations conclude. Officials confirmed that 36 workers sustained severe burn injuries in the blast, which occurred during peak operational hours on April 14.

Criminal Charges Filed

Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against eight to ten individuals, including Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal and Plant Head Devendra Patel. Sakti SP Prafull Thakur confirmed that the case was filed at the Dabhra police station based on a preliminary industrial safety report. The charges cite gross negligence in machinery maintenance and operational protocols.

Overpressure Led to Explosion

According to the Industrial Safety Department’s investigation, the blast occurred due to a sudden, uncontrollable rise in furnace pressure. Boiler Inspector Ujjwal Gupta stated that excess fuel accumulation inside the boiler furnace created extreme pressure. Within one to two seconds, the bottom pipeline dislodged from its position, triggering the massive blast. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report corroborated these technical findings.

Production Rush Blamed

Sources indicated that management was allegedly rushing to double production output. Investigators found that the boiler load was sharply increased from 350 megawatts to nearly 590 megawatts within a very short timeframe. “The system was pushed beyond its threshold without adequate safety backups,” an official familiar with the probe told this portal. Repeated malfunctions in the PA fan and a failure in the piping system further compounded the risk.

Political Leaders Visit Site

Chhattisgarh’s Industry Minister Lakhan Lal Devangan visited the injured at hospitals in Raigadh. Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant and state Congress chief Deepak Baij also met with the victims. Meanwhile, District Collector Amrit Vikas Topno has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the tragedy, demanding a detailed report within 30 days. The inquiry will examine technical culpability and the timeline of administrative inspections.

Compensation Announcements

The Vedanta management has announced a compensation of Rs 35 lakh and a job for the families of the deceased. Injured workers will receive Rs 15 lakh. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has pledged Rs 2 lakh per deceased family from the PMNRF, while the state government has promised Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the dead. Congress has demanded the compensation be hiked to Rs 1 crore.

What Happens Next

A special investigation team led by ASP Pankaj Patel is currently probing the criminal liability of the named executives. The magisterial inquiry will specifically look into whether the plant ignored previous technical warnings. As this English news portal India continues to follow this public interest story, authorities have confirmed that no further bodies remain trapped inside the damaged structure. This latest news today serves as a grim reminder of industrial safety enforcement gaps in the power sector.