DRG Jawan’s Wife Held in Dantewada Contract Killing of Student

Student murder case shocks Dantewada after police recover skeletal remains from buried sack

A 22-year-old college student in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district was allegedly murdered in a contract killing orchestrated by the wife of a DRG jawan, who suspected the victim of having an affair with her husband. Police said the accused woman paid Rs 50,000 to get the student killed before the body was secretly buried near a village drain.

The case came to light again nearly a year after the student first went missing, when investigators reopened the file and traced fresh leads through call records and local questioning. Police have so far arrested two women in connection with the murder, while the main accused in the killing remains absconding.

Missing complaint revived

According to police officials, the victim, identified as Ramdai Kashyap (22), had been reported missing in June 2024 by her relatives. Initial investigation at the time did not yield any substantial clue, and the case had gone cold for several months.

Dantewada police later reopened the investigation after receiving fresh inputs. During scrutiny of mobile call details and statements of relatives, investigators reportedly found that Ramdai was frequently in contact with DRG jawan Pandu Kartam, a resident of Toylanka village.

Police sources said suspicion then shifted towards Pandu’s second wife, Kamli Kartam (40), who allegedly believed her husband was involved in a relationship with the student.

Murder allegedly planned

Investigators claim Kamli Kartam conspired with her relative Hungaram alias Butu Kartam to eliminate the student. Police alleged that Kamli offered Rs 50,000 to carry out the killing.

Officials said the crime was planned when Pandu Kartam had returned to the village during a local seed festival. During that period, Kamli allegedly sent Lakshmi (22), the daughter of Pandu’s first wife, to Dantewada town to monitor the victim’s movements.

Late at night, after confirming Ramdai’s presence at home, the accused allegedly arranged for Hungaram to travel to Dantewada in a pickup vehicle.

Body buried near drain

According to the investigation so far, Hungaram allegedly entered the house and smothered Ramdai by pressing her mouth and throat, leading to her death.

After the murder, the body was allegedly packed into a white plastic sack and transported back to Toylanka village in the pickup vehicle. Police said the remains were then buried near a drain behind the accused’s house.

Following interrogation, Kamli reportedly confessed to the crime. Based on information provided by the accused, police conducted an excavation in the presence of a magistrate, forensic experts and local witnesses.

Skeletal remains packed inside a plastic sack were recovered from the burial site earlier this week. The remains have been sent to the district hospital in Dantewada for forensic examination and postmortem procedures.

Two women arrested

Police have arrested Kamli Kartam and Lakshmi in connection with the case. Investigators alleged that Lakshmi helped arrange the vehicle used in transporting the body after the murder.

Both accused women have been sent to judicial custody.

Meanwhile, the alleged contract killer, Hungaram alias Butu Kartam, is still on the run. Police teams are conducting searches in nearby areas and forest pockets to trace him.

Affair suspicion central

Investigators indicated that the suspected affair between the DRG jawan and the student appears to be the central motive behind the killing.

Officials, however, said further investigation is underway and forensic reports are awaited to strengthen the prosecution’s case. Police are also examining financial transactions and phone records linked to the conspiracy.

The incident has triggered shock in Dantewada district, particularly because of the brutal manner in which the body was concealed for months. Local residents said the recovery of skeletal remains from the village has created fear and intense discussion in the area.

Contract killing cases rising

The Dantewada case has once again drawn attention to emerging contract killing cases in parts of Chhattisgarh. In recent months, police in different districts have reported incidents involving planned murders linked to personal disputes, property issues and political rivalry.

Investigators believe improved digital tracking and reopening of older missing person cases are helping uncover crimes that had remained hidden for long periods.