Victims' mothers allege FIR delay, evidence tampering, VIP treatment for suspect

Chocolate Lure, Rope Restraints

Two seven-year-old girls were allegedly raped by a 17-year-old neighbour in the Sirgitti police station area of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, in a case that has now spiralled into a serious police misconduct controversy. According to the victims' families, the accused had been luring the children with chocolate for several days before family members caught him in the act on May 27. During the assaults, the accused reportedly tied the girls with rope to restrain them.

The accused was eventually arrested on May 29 — two days after he was caught — but the families say the delay was only the beginning of a larger pattern of negligence and alleged cover-up by local police.

FIR Filed Only After Senior Officers Stepped In

Despite the family reporting the incident promptly, the Sirgitti police station did not register an FIR immediately. The victims' families spent hours moving between the police station and senior officials before a report was finally filed — and only after the intervention of higher-ranking officers. The mothers of the two girls allege that during this critical window, the station in-charge and investigating officers were focused not on arresting the accused but on mediating with his mother.

According to one of the victims' mothers, the accused's family even offered police a sum of Rs 10,000 to 20,000 during this period. She alleged that officers were receptive to the overture and that pressure was subsequently applied on the victim's family to settle the matter out of court.

Evidence Left Uncollected

In a particularly damaging allegation, the family says police were immediately informed about physical evidence connected to the assault — including rope and other items at the scene. Despite this, the Sirgitti police reportedly made no effort to seize or preserve this material. The family fears crucial forensic evidence may now be destroyed or contaminated as a result of this inaction.

A medical examination of the two girls confirmed pain and physical indicators consistent with the alleged assault. Despite this, sources close to the family say police appear to be working to weaken the case rather than build it. The accused's medical examination, they allege, was recorded as "nil."

Accused Gets VIP Treatment, Victims Sit in the Sun

The family's account paints a disturbing picture of the atmosphere inside the police station. While they were allegedly made to wait in the heat outside, the accused's mother was reportedly seated comfortably inside and allowed repeated family visits. The victims' family has named Station In-charge Abhay Singh Bais, Sub-Inspector Sheetal Prasad Tripathi and Investigating Officer Santoshi Agarwal as those allegedly responsible for shielding the accused.

Threats from the accused's side have reportedly continued even after the arrest, creating what the family described as an atmosphere of fear for the girls and their relatives.

Seven Demands Before SSP

The families have met Bilaspur SSP Rajnesh Singh to formally register their grievances. A letter has also been sent to the Union Home Minister. Their demands include transfer of the named officers, an independent investigation by a senior official, immediate security cover for the two families, seizure of all crime-scene evidence, and accountability proceedings for those responsible for the FIR delay and alleged evidence lapse.

They have also asked that the three named officials be kept entirely away from this case until any departmental inquiry is concluded.

Background: Related Case in Raipur

The Bilaspur case surfaces amid broader concerns about child safety in Chhattisgarh. In a separate incident in Raipur, a 65-year-old man identified as Abdul Sajjad Ansari was accused of raping a nine-year-old girl over five consecutive days after luring her with chocolate. Authorities in that case subsequently demolished the accused's illegally constructed shop. Both cases raise questions about the vulnerability of young children in residential neighbourhoods and the adequacy of immediate police response.

The Bilaspur case now awaits action from senior officials. Whether the SSP intervenes decisively — or the matter is quietly buried — will determine whether justice reaches two seven-year-old girls in Sirgitti.

Agency plans face-to-face interrogation; virtual recreation of Twisha Sharma’s final hours underway.

Court Production After Medical Check-up

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday produced retired judge Giribala Singh and her son Samarth Singh before a local court in Bhopal, days after taking over the probe into the death of actress and model Twisha Sharma. The couple was brought to the court premises following a mandatory medical examination at the MANIT campus.

CBI’s legal representative formally requested a five-day remand for both accused, arguing that their custodial interrogation is essential for unravelling the sequence of events leading to the 25-year-old’s death. Officials familiar with the matter said the probe team wants to question the mother-son duo face-to-face.

Face-to-Face Interrogation Planned

According to sources, investigators believe confronting Giribala and Samarth simultaneously could expose inconsistencies in their individual accounts of what transpired on the night of May 12. The agency has already taken Samarth into custody earlier. With Giribala’s arrest on Thursday after nearly seven hours of questioning, the CBI now has both primary accused in its net.

“The idea is to recreate the emotional and situational dynamics of that night,” a source close to the development said. “Sitting them across from each other often leads to cracks in the narrative.”

Evidence Tampering Allegations

The retired judge was arrested late Thursday evening on allegations of tampering with evidence. CBI teams had first reached her Bag Mugalia Extension residence on May 26, two days after formally registering an FIR in the case. During spot verification, officers reportedly found signs that suggested crucial material may have been disturbed or removed before the agency could secure the scene.

Local authorities had initially handled the case, but the family raised suspicions over the police investigation, prompting the state government to hand over the matter to the CBI.

Virtual Recreation of Last Hours

In a significant development, the agency is now employing what officials describe as a “tunnel view investigation technique.” A virtual recreation of Twisha Sharma’s final hours is being prepared, allowing the team to map minute-by-minute activities before and after her death.

This digital reconstruction will incorporate call detail records, tower locations, and statements from household staff and other family members who were present that night. The CBI is also analysing digital evidence, including deleted messages and app activity, to verify claims made by the accused.

What Happened That Night?

Twisha Sharma was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her in-laws’ residence in Bhopal late on May 12. While initial police reports suggested a possible accident or suicide, the actress’s family alleged foul play and demanded a thorough probe. The case gained widespread attention after discrepancies emerged in the time of death and the family’s delayed response in informing authorities.

Sources said the CBI has already questioned domestic help and neighbours over the past week. Investigators are now likely to record statements from extended family members and anyone who communicated with the household in the 48 hours following the incident.

Next Steps in the Investigation

The court is expected to rule on the CBI’s remand request later on Friday. If granted, the agency will have five days to interrogate both Giribala and Samarth together, apart from continuing its forensic analysis of the crime scene.

Officials confirmed that no new arrests are imminent, but the investigation remains open to examining the role of other individuals based on evidence that surfaces during the remand period.

Mahasamund LPG Scam: Food Officials and Gas Agency Operator Arrested

In a major breakthrough in the LPG gas diversion case, Chhattisgarh police have arrested three key accused, including two senior food department officials and the operator of a gas agency linked to a political family. The arrests relate to the alleged theft and illegal sale of around 90 metric tonnes of LPG worth over ₹1.5 crore.

The development comes months after police seized six gas-laden capsule tankers in December 2025 for want of valid documents. The vehicles were later handed over for safekeeping to a private petrochemical firm, from where the gas was allegedly siphoned off.

Planned Handover of Tankers

According to police sources, District Food Officer Ajay Yadav, Assistant Food Officer Manish Yadav, and Pankaj Chandrakar, operator of Gaurav Gas Agency in Mahasamund, conspired to divert the LPG. The tankers were moved to Thakur Petrochemicals at Urla in Abhanpur, around 200 km from the seizure site. 

Officials said the handover took place on March 30, 2026, in the presence of food inspectors. The company’s owners, Santosh Singh Thakur and Sarthak Thakur, took custody of the vehicles but allegedly never intended to keep them secure.

Gas Siphoned Off in Days

Investigators found that despite multiple weighbridges on the route, the tankers were not weighed immediately after handover. The vehicles were parked outside the plant, and the gas was gradually transferred into bullet tanks and private tankers over eight days in early April. 

A portion of the diverted LPG, estimated at 4-6 tonnes per consignment, was sold to various agencies in Raipur on mere kachcha challans without proper invoices. Records later showed massive discrepancies — the firm had reportedly shown sales of 107 tonnes in April while purchasing only 47 tonnes legally.

Political Link Under Scanner

Pankaj Chandrakar, one of the arrested persons, is the son-in-law of Dhananjay Chandrakar, brother of former state minister Poonam Chandrakar. The agency he operates has now come under scrutiny in the larger probe. 

Police confirmed that while the two food officials and the agency operator are in custody, the main accused — Santosh Thakur and Sarthak Thakur — are absconding. Teams are conducting raids at possible hideouts.

Earlier Staff Arrest and Evidence Tampering

Earlier, police had arrested Nikhil Vaishnav, an employee of Thakur Petrochemicals. During searches, authorities seized seven LPG tankers, four bullet tanks, around 100 gas cylinders, computers, DVRs, and several documents.

Investigators also discovered attempts to destroy evidence. The April register recording cash transactions and vehicle movements reportedly went missing from the plant office. Experts ruled out significant leakage from the sealed capsules, confirming deliberate diversion.

Public Concern Over Safety and Regulation

The episode has raised serious questions about the handling of hazardous materials and oversight by regulatory departments. LPG being a subsidized and sensitive commodity, any large-scale diversion impacts both the exchequer and consumer supply chains. 

local residents in Mahasamund and surrounding areas expressed concern over the safety risks posed by improper storage and movement of such large volumes of gas. Many wondered how tankers meant to be secured could remain unmonitored for days.

Authorities have assured that a thorough probe is underway and more arrests are likely. The case has been registered under relevant sections of the IPC and other acts related to theft, criminal conspiracy, and tampering with evidence. 

Further investigation is expected to reveal the full network involved in the illegal sale of the diverted LPG. Police said they are examining financial trails and possible beneficiaries beyond the primary accused.