Chhattisgarh Minister Kedar Kashyap’s convoy was involved in a road accident in Kondagaon district on Sunday afternoon, leaving six people injured. A Scorpio reportedly first collided with the minister’s vehicle near Junwani and then went out of control before crashing into the convoy’s follow vehicle. Four of the injured have been referred to Raipur for further treatment. The minister was present in his vehicle at the time of the accident but escaped serious injury.

According to the information available, Kashyap was travelling from his native village Farsaguda towards Kondagaon when the accident took place on the Kondagaon-Jagdalpur route near Junwani. The Scorpio was travelling from Kondagaon towards Jagdalpur when it collided with the minister’s convoy. Following the initial impact, the vehicle lost control and hit the follow vehicle carrying security personnel.

Those injured include the minister’s personal assistant Anurag Sharma, driver Sunil Kumar Maurya and four police personnel. Sharma suffered chest pain and was referred to Raipur. Maurya sustained injuries to his head, face and leg and was also referred. Head injuries were reported in the cases of head constable Rajesh Netam and constable Sugantin Usendi, who were shifted to Raipur for further treatment.

Constable Trilottama Madru suffered injuries to the head, chest, back and right hand, while constable Narmada Markam sustained injuries to the head and left shoulder. The injured were initially taken to the Kondagaon district hospital, where they received medical attention. Four people were subsequently referred to Raipur after doctors assessed their condition.

The collision caused damage to three vehicles involved in the incident. Police reached the spot after receiving information about the accident and used a JCB to remove the damaged vehicles from the road. The accident also led to a brief disruption in movement along the route.

Kashyap later visited the district hospital to meet the injured and check on their condition. Initial information suggests that the minister did not suffer any serious injuries in the accident.

Police have begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Officials are also gathering details about the Scorpio and its driver to determine how the vehicle entered the minister’s convoy and caused the collision. The exact cause of the accident has not yet been established.

The incident comes amid continued focus on road safety and the movement of VIP convoys on busy highways. Further details regarding the condition of the injured and the police investigation are awaited.

Kondagaon Police have uncovered an alleged inter-district financial fraud in which at least 43 teachers were reportedly cheated of ₹10–12 crore through a network that promised quick personal loans and high financial returns. Following a nearly three-month technical and financial investigation, police arrested five accused from Ambikapur, Jashpur and Sarangarh.

Investigators believe the fraud may have affected more victims than those identified so far, and the probe has now been expanded to trace additional suspects and possible accomplices.

43 Cases Confirmed, More Victims Suspected

According to police, 43 teachers have so far been identified as victims of the alleged scam. However, some teachers have claimed that many others have not approached authorities due to concerns over social stigma and reputational damage.

While police have officially confirmed fraud involving 43 complainants, local estimates suggest that 150 to 200 teachers across the district may have fallen prey to the scheme. These claims are yet to be independently verified.

How the Alleged Fraud Worked

Investigators said the accused approached teachers with promises of arranging multiple personal loans from different banks within a short period.

After securing loan approvals, the victims allegedly received only 40% of the sanctioned amount, while the remaining 60% was transferred into bank accounts controlled by the accused and their associates.

To gain the teachers' confidence, the accused allegedly assured them that the entire loan liability, including instalments and housing-related benefits, would be settled within two to three years. Believing these assurances, the victims signed loan-related documents.

Police said the accused later disappeared with the money, leaving the teachers responsible for repaying the full loan amount and monthly EMIs.

Fake Documents and Identity Manipulation

The investigation also revealed the alleged use of forged identity documents.

According to police, fake Aadhaar cards and other fabricated records were prepared in several cases. Investigators allege that victims' residential addresses were altered on official documents, enabling the accused to obtain loans from multiple banks using manipulated records.

Authorities are examining whether additional forged documents were used to facilitate the fraud.

Complaints Triggered Investigation

The case came to light after several teachers approached police with complaints of financial fraud.

Farasgaon resident Sanjay Kodopi alleged that he and his associates were cheated of nearly ₹2 crore on the pretext of securing personal loans.

Similarly, Anant Kumar Nirmalkar from Bade Dongar reported an alleged fraud of around ₹4 crore. Teachers including Devendra Kishore Khawas, Yogeshwar Baidya and others from the Keshkal area also filed complaints regarding similar transactions.

Based on these complaints, police registered four criminal cases at the Farasgaon and Keshkal police stations and launched a detailed investigation.

Five Arrested After Three-Month Probe

Under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Pankaj Chandra (IPS) and Additional SP Kapil Chandra, a special investigation team analysed bank records, mobile phone data, digital transactions and financial documents over three months.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of:

• Shivshankar Das (Ambikapur)

• Dilip Kumar Soni (Ambikapur)

• Virendra Tirkey (Jashpur)

• Shyamsundar Jangde (Sarangarh)

• Anshuman Singh (Ambikapur)

Police have seized mobile phones, laptops, desktop computers, bank passbooks, cheque books, ATM cards, diaries, registers and other financial documents from the accused. These materials are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.

Banking System Loophole Under Examination

Investigators also found that the accused allegedly exploited delays in the banking system's credit reporting mechanism.

Officials said that loans obtained from one bank often take several days to appear in the central credit database. During this gap, the accused allegedly secured multiple loans from different banks in the names of the same individuals before previous borrowings were reflected in the system.

Financial experts say stronger real-time coordination among banks and faster verification of borrowers' credit records could help prevent such frauds in the future.

Investigation Continues

Police said questioning of the arrested accused is continuing and the investigation has now widened to examine the possible involvement of bank agents, intermediaries and other members of the alleged network.

Authorities suspect that the group may have carried out similar operations in other districts of Chhattisgarh, and further arrests are not being ruled out.

Two major alleged financial fraud cases have surfaced in Chhattisgarh, with police launching investigations into investment schemes that allegedly duped thousands of people across the state. In one case, a Bhilai-based investment company is accused of cheating investors of more than ₹1,000 crore through promises of high returns from share trading and Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). In another case, police have arrested five people for allegedly defrauding 43 teachers of nearly ₹12 crore through fraudulent personal loan schemes.

Bhilai Investment Firm Under Scanner

The first case emerged from the Supela area of Bhilai, where police registered a case against Arena Capital and its promoters after multiple investors alleged that they were lured into investing with promises of 10% monthly returns and claims that their money would double within a short period.

According to the complaint, the company initially paid returns for a few months, helping build investor confidence. However, payments reportedly stopped nearly ten months ago, prompting investors to suspect fraud.

The main accused, Yogesh Sahu, was allegedly apprehended by aggrieved investors when he appeared at a local court in connection with another case. The investors handed him over to the police, following which the Supela police registered an FIR.

The case has been filed against Yogesh Sahu and several others, including Megha Sahu, Govind Sahu, Rajendra Sahu, Padma Sahu, Lomash Sahu and Gyan Prakash Sahu, along with their associates, on charges of cheating.

Investors Claim Massive Losses

Retired BSP employee Raju Namdev, one of the complainants, alleged that he invested ₹15 lakh in March 2025 after being assured of attractive returns through share trading and investment plans.

According to the complaint, several other investors also deposited substantial amounts. Police documents mention alleged investments of ₹1.61 crore by Shadab Siddiqui, ₹1.12 crore by Indresh Kumar Bangre, ₹23 lakh by Vidyanand Chandra Dutta and Ankit Dutta, and ₹63 lakh by Arun Kumar and Pragya Dubey.

Another complainant, Vivek Singh, claimed that he and his family invested nearly ₹1.5 crore, including funds mobilised through relatives and acquaintances. He alleged that between 1,000 and 1,500 investors across Chhattisgarh may have been affected, with the total amount involved potentially exceeding ₹1,000 crore. These figures are based on complainants' claims and are yet to be independently verified by investigating agencies.

Police said they are examining bank transactions, investment documents and the financial network linked to the accused to determine the actual scale of the alleged fraud.

Previous Cases Against Main Accused

Investigators said Yogesh Sahu had previously faced criminal cases registered at Supela and Smriti Nagar police stations and had secured bail in those matters.

Following fresh complaints, police have initiated a detailed investigation to identify additional victims, trace financial transactions and determine whether the alleged investment scheme operated across multiple districts.

Separate Loan Fraud Targets Teachers

In a separate operation, Kondagaon police uncovered an alleged loan fraud involving 43 teachers, resulting in losses estimated at around ₹12 crore.

Police arrested five accused after a three-month financial and technical investigation.

According to investigators, the accused promised teachers quick personal loans and assured them that only 40% of the loan amount would need to be repaid, while claiming they would manage the remaining liability.

Instead, police allege that nearly 60% of the sanctioned loan amount was transferred into the accused persons' bank accounts, leaving the teachers responsible for repaying the entire loan along with monthly instalments.

Investigators said the accused also assured victims that the loans would be cleared within two to three years, including housing-related benefits, persuading them to sign loan documents.

Probe Underway

Police are continuing investigations in both cases by examining financial records, bank accounts, digital evidence and the role of all individuals connected to the alleged frauds.

Authorities have urged anyone who may have invested through the Bhilai-based company or fallen victim to similar schemes to come forward and assist the investigation.

A CAF jawan allegedly shot himself with his INSAS service rifle while on duty at a Kondagaon camp. Authorities are investigating the circumstances behind the incident.

A 45-year-old jawan of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) allegedly died by suicide after shooting himself with his service rifle inside a security camp in Chhattisgarh’s Kondagaon district late on Monday night, officials said.

The incident was reported from the Urandabeda police station limits, where the jawan was deployed as part of the 5th Battalion of the CAF. The deceased has been identified as Jogendra Netam, a resident of Badedongar area. According to officials, he had been posted at the camp around three months ago and was assigned security duties at the time of the incident.

Shot During Duty

Preliminary information suggests that Netam used his INSAS service rifle to fire at his temple while on duty. The gunshot alerted other personnel stationed in the camp, who rushed to the spot immediately.

However, by the time fellow jawans reached him, he had succumbed to his injuries. The incident triggered an immediate response from camp authorities, who informed senior security officials and the local police.

Senior Officers Reach Spot

Soon after receiving information, police officials and senior officers of the security establishment reached the camp and carried out an inspection of the scene.

Authorities conducted a preliminary examination and initiated standard legal procedures. The body was later sent for post-mortem examination, following which it is expected to be handed over to the family.

No Suicide Note Found

Investigators said no suicide note was recovered from the spot during the initial search. As a result, the exact reason behind the alleged suicide remains unclear.

Officials familiar with the investigation said all possible angles are being examined. While no conclusions have been drawn, personal stress or private issues are among the factors being looked into as part of the inquiry.

Investigation Continues

Kondagaon Superintendent of Police Pankaj Chandra said the case prima facie appears to be one of suicide. However, he noted that the circumstances leading to the incident are still under investigation.

Police teams, along with departmental authorities, are collecting information from colleagues and reviewing the jawan’s recent activities to establish a clearer picture of the events preceding the incident.

Sources said the family has been informed, and statements from those posted at the camp may form part of the ongoing investigation.

Concerns Over Personnel Wellbeing

The incident has once again drawn attention to the challenges faced by security personnel deployed in sensitive and demanding environments. While investigators have not linked the case to any specific factor, authorities are expected to examine whether personal or professional pressures played any role.

Security forces routinely conduct counselling and welfare measures for personnel, particularly those posted in remote locations. Officials indicated that a detailed inquiry report would help determine whether any additional factors contributed to the tragedy.

Similar Incident Recently Reported

The Kondagaon case comes days after another firearm-related suicide involving a security personnel was reported in neighbouring Narayanpur district. In that incident, a district force jawan allegedly shot himself with his service weapon at a camp under Kohkameta police station limits.

Officials have not indicated any connection between the two incidents. Investigations in both cases are being carried out separately.

Further details in the Kondagaon case are expected to emerge once the post-mortem report and departmental inquiry are completed.