Kharve Village Under Shadow of Fear

In a remote corner of Chhattisgarh’s Balodabazar district, the small village of Kharve has been gripped by suspicion and grief following eight mysterious deaths over the past few months. Local residents have raised serious allegations of deliberate poisoning through laced liquor, while unverified whispers speak of human sacrifice linked to a supposed buried treasure.

Police and administration officials acted swiftly on Saturday after receiving complaints from affected families. A team reached the village and exhumed the body of one of the deceased, 40-year-old Mehtaru Sahu, from his grave in the presence of villagers and family members. Samples were collected for forensic examination as authorities seek to determine the exact cause of the deaths.

 Allegations Point to Laced Liquor

According to villagers, the deaths began occurring from February 2026 onwards. They claim that Ramsay Jayswal, a local resident, allegedly offered poisoned liquor to several people, leading to a chain of fatalities. One survivor reportedly fell ill after consuming the drink but recovered after hospital treatment, prompting the community to approach the Kasdol police station with a written complaint.

The deceased have been identified as Badri Patel, Butalu Sahu, Chhaturam Sahu, Budlu Jayswal, Vinod Sahu, Gajanan Manjhi, Chaitu Sahu, and Mehtaru Sahu. Most were in the 40-50 age group. Mehtaru Sahu’s death on May 14 became a turning point when grieving relatives and villagers demanded action.

 Exhumation and Forensic Push

On Saturday morning, heavy machinery and police personnel were seen at the burial site. The exhumation of Mehtaru Sahu’s body was carried out carefully under official supervision. Forensic samples have been sent to a laboratory for detailed analysis, including tests for possible toxins. Police officials stated that a clear picture will emerge only after the postmortem and forensic reports arrive.

“Every aspect of the case is being thoroughly investigated,” said SDOP Kasdol Kaushal Kishore Vasnik. He emphasised that the probe is examining multiple angles based on the complaints received.

 Village Rumours of Buried Treasure

Amid the tragedy, a more sinister narrative has taken root among some villagers. They allege that Ramsay Jayswal was attempting to unearth a hidden treasure (locally called ‘hunda’) buried in the ground and may have been involved in ritualistic sacrifices. However, officials have not confirmed these claims, describing them as unverified local talk at this stage.

Such stories, though common in rural folklore, have added to the atmosphere of fear and mistrust in the village. Many families are now wary of sharing drinks or accepting hospitality from certain individuals.

 Families Demand Justice

The affected families have appealed for a fair and impartial investigation. They want swift action against those responsible and have expressed frustration over the delay in uncovering the truth. Several villagers gathered at the police station earlier and submitted a formal complaint detailing the sequence of events.

Local authorities have assured the community that no stone will be left unturned. Interrogations of residents and key individuals are underway to piece together the timeline and circumstances surrounding each death.

Background of the Area

Balodabazar district, like many parts of central Chhattisgarh, is primarily agrarian with tight-knit village communities. Incidents involving spurious liquor have been reported in the past across the state, often linked to illegal brewing or adulteration. However, a cluster of eight deaths in one village is highly unusual and has drawn significant attention from district officials.

Health and revenue department teams have also visited the area to assess the situation and provide support to grieving families. Counselling and awareness drives about the dangers of illicit liquor may be stepped up in the coming days.

What Lies Ahead

As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on scientific evidence. Police are collecting statements and cross-verifying details provided by complainants. The forensic results, expected in the coming weeks, will be crucial in determining whether the deaths were due to poisoning, natural causes, or other factors.

For now, Kharve village remains on edge. Residents hope that the authorities’ intervention will bring clarity and closure to a series of tragic events that have shaken their community to the core. Further updates are awaited as the probe deepens.