The suspected spurious liquor tragedy in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district has triggered a political row, with the administration confirming 24 deaths so far while the Congress alleges that the actual toll is higher.

 A suspected spurious liquor tragedy in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district has claimed several lives, with local reports putting the death toll at around 28, while the administration has officially confirmed 24 deaths so far. Police have arrested 14 people in connection with the case and launched action against the alleged illegal liquor network.The incident has affected villages in the Banda and Shahgarh development blocks of Sagar district, where several people reportedly fell ill after consuming suspected illegal and poor-quality liquor. Many patients were admitted to hospitals for treatment.Authorities have started a multi-level response, including door-to-door surveys, village meetings and legal action against those allegedly involved in the supply of illegal liquor.

Hospital admissions reduce, but patients continue to face concerns

At Banda Civil Hospital, the number of patients arriving with suspected liquor-related health issues has reportedly started declining. However, the incident has raised concerns over illegal liquor circulation and enforcement mechanisms in rural areas.The administration has sealed several liquor outlets and started collecting samples for examination.Police teams have conducted searches in villages and taken action against people suspected of being involved in illegal liquor sales.

Congress questions official death figures

The incident has also triggered a political controversy. The Congress has accused the state government and administration of hiding the actual number of deaths.Sagar Rural District Congress Committee president Bhupendra Singh Mohasa alleged that there was a difference between the official figures and the situation on the ground. He also questioned the transparency of forensic examination of samples collected from deceased victims

The Congress has demanded that viscera samples of all deceased persons should be examined at an independent forensic laboratory in Bhopal to ensure an impartial investigation.Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticised the state government over the incident in a post on X, alleging governance failures and questioning previous action taken after similar tragedies.

Police action and arrests

Following the deaths, police and administration intensified action against suspected suppliers and sellers of illegal liquor.

According to officials, cases have been registered against multiple accused persons, and 14 arrests have been made so far. Authorities have also increased monitoring in affected villages to prevent further distribution of illegal alcohol.

Timeline of the incident

• September 5: Patients began arriving at Banda Civil Hospital after consuming suspected liquor. Several complained of symptoms including vomiting, body stiffness and deteriorating health.

• Following days: More patients were referred to district hospitals and higher medical facilities as their condition worsened.

• Sunday-Monday: The number of deaths increased, prompting large-scale administrative intervention.

• Tuesday onwards: Authorities reported improvement in the situation, although further deaths were recorded.

Magistrial inquiry ordered

Sagar Collector Pratibha Pal has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.The inquiry will examine the circumstances leading to the deaths, whether consumption of substandard or illegal liquor was the actual cause, who was responsible for manufacturing and distribution, and whether any negligence occurred by regulatory departments.The investigation will also recommend steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A head constable posted with the Dewas Police Lines has been booked for allegedly harassing a woman constable, stalking her, threatening her, confining her inside a car and forcing her to marry him. Based on the victim's complaint, Ban Ganga Police in Indore have registered a case against the accused, identified as Rahul Sharma, and initiated an investigation. Police officials said efforts are underway to trace the accused, while all allegations are being thoroughly examined.

According to the complaint, the accused had been allegedly harassing the woman for several months by repeatedly calling her, following her to different locations and pressuring her into marriage. The victim claimed that despite changing her posting from Dewas to Indore, the accused continued to stalk and intimidate her.

Acquaintance Began During Posting in Dewas

Police said the woman constable stated in her complaint that she became acquainted with Rahul Sharma about a year ago while both were posted in Dewas. Initially, they interacted professionally, but Sharma allegedly began calling her frequently and tried to establish a personal relationship.

The victim said she repeatedly asked him to stop contacting her, but he allegedly continued to pressure her despite her refusal.

Alleged Harassment Continued After Transfer

According to the complaint, the woman sought a transfer from Dewas to Indore to escape the alleged harassment. However, she claimed that the accused continued to contact her by calling from different phone numbers after she blocked his original number.

She further alleged that Sharma frequently followed her to different places, causing severe mental stress and fear for her safety.

Suicide Threats Used to Pressure Victim

The woman also alleged that the accused repeatedly threatened to take his own life if she refused to speak to him or accept his proposal.

In one incident, Sharma allegedly followed her to a government hospital where she had gone to facilitate the medical examination of a victim in connection with official duties. He reportedly attempted to confront her there, leading to another argument.

Allegation of Wrongful Confinement in Car

The most serious allegation in the complaint relates to an incident in the Ban Ganga area, where the woman claims Sharma forcibly made her sit inside his car.

She alleged that he snatched her mobile phone, locked the vehicle from inside and pressured her to marry him. When she attempted to get out, he allegedly assaulted her and prevented her from leaving.

During the incident, the victim's mother called her. The woman managed to inform her that she had been confined inside the accused's vehicle. Acting on the information, her father and brother rushed to the location. Upon seeing them arrive, the accused allegedly fled the scene in his car.

FIR Registered, Police Begin Investigation

Following the incident, the woman constable reported the matter to Ban Ganga Police Station in-charge Siyaram Gurjar and other senior police officials.

Based on her complaint, police have registered an FIR against Rahul Sharma under relevant provisions related to sexual harassment, criminal intimidation, assault, wrongful confinement and other applicable offences under the law.

Investigating officers said efforts are underway to locate the accused and verify all evidence related to the case. Police added that further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.

 The Madhya Pradesh government has carried out a late-night reshuffle of nine Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, introducing new leadership across several important police units and districts. The administrative exercise is aimed at strengthening policing, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring smoother law enforcement across the state.

According to the transfer order, senior IPS officer Ravichandra Mishra has been appointed as the Inspector General (IG) of Bhopal Rural, replacing his previous assignment at the Police Headquarters. The posting is considered significant as the Bhopal Rural range covers several rapidly developing districts that require close monitoring of law and order.

The state government has also appointed Chandrashekhar Solanki as the new Inspector General of Narmadapuram Range, while Mithilesh Shukla has been posted as the Inspector General of Sagar Range. Both officers are expected to take charge shortly.

In another important change, Simmala Prasad has been appointed as the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Khargone Range, reinforcing the police leadership in the western region of the state.

At the district level, Sanjay Kumar Agrawal has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Police (SP) of Shajapur, while Priyanka Shukla will take over as the Superintendent of Police of Shahdol. The appointments are expected to strengthen policing and administrative coordination in both districts.

The transfer order also includes the reassignment of Yashpal Singh Rajput, who has been shifted as the Railway Superintendent of Police (Rail SP), Indore. Meanwhile, Ramji Shrivastava, who was serving as the SP of Shahdol, has been posted as the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) at the Madhya Pradesh Police Academy in Bhopal.

Besides field-level postings, the government has assigned additional responsibilities to senior officers. Special Director General (Administration) Adarsh Katiyar has been given additional charge of the Telecommunications Department, while Anurag has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of Inspector General, SAF Indore Range.

Police officials said such administrative reshuffles are a routine exercise intended to optimise leadership deployment, improve policing standards, and enhance public service delivery across different regions of the state.

The latest transfer list comes as the state continues to focus on strengthening law enforcement, modernising police administration, and ensuring better coordination among field units ahead of several major administrative and public events scheduled in the coming months.

The newly appointed officers are expected to assume charge of their respective positions following the completion of departmental formalities.

A 15-year-old boy was murdered in Madhya Pradesh's Multai area after a neighbour suspected his mother of practising witchcraft — and blamed her alleged black magic for his decade-long inability to father a child. The accused stuffed the boy's body in a sack and threw it into a deep ravine to conceal the crime. He was arrested Monday night after confessing to the killing during police interrogation.

The victim, Sudama (15), son of Mohan Ewnate, was a resident of Taikheda village under Multai police station limits. He had been missing since June 20. When his family's search yielded nothing, they filed a complaint with Multai police.

Station In-charge Vikas Patel led a search operation across Hathaikheda and surrounding areas. During the investigation, suspicion fell on Rakesh Uike (30), also a resident of Hathaikheda. He was taken into custody and broke down under questioning — admitting he had killed Sudama the same day the boy went missing.

Uike told police he had been childless for nearly ten years. He was convinced that Sudama's mother was performing witchcraft on his family, and that this was the reason he had no children. Acting on this superstition, he targeted the boy.

The manner of the killing was brutal. According to police, Uike first struck Sudama on the head with an iron rod, causing serious injuries, then strangled him to death. He then stuffed the body into a sack and dumped it in a deep ravine in the Hathaikheda area, hoping it would never be found.

On Uike's directions, the police team recovered the sack-wrapped body from the ravine late Monday night around 11 pm. The body has been sent for post-mortem. The accused has been formally arrested and booked for murder along with other relevant charges. Investigation is ongoing.

Witch-hunting and superstition-linked violence continue to claim lives across central India, particularly in rural and tribal pockets of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Families accused of practising black magic — often on little more than personal grudges or community rumour — frequently face violence, social ostracism, or worse. Cases involving minors being targeted as proxies are especially disturbing and have drawn demands from rights groups for stricter enforcement of anti-superstition laws.

Sudama's family was in shock, with relatives inconsolable through the night. They have demanded strict action against the accused.

Nearly five years after one of Ratlam's most chilling crimes, a sessions court has sentenced three men to triple life imprisonment for the murder of an entire family on the night of Chhoti Diwali. The mastermind behind the killings, however, never made it to trial — he was shot dead in a police encounter just days after the crime.

On the night of November 25, 2020, Govind Solanki, his wife Sharda, and their daughter Divya were shot dead inside their home in the Rajiv Nagar area of Ratlam. All three were shot in the head. The crime went undetected through the night. It was only the next morning that a tenant nurse named Jvelika, living on the ground floor, noticed her Activa scooter was missing. When she went upstairs to ask the landlord about it, she found three bodies on the floor, blood still pooling around them.

Police combed through CCTV footage from the crime scene and surrounding routes. The footage led them to Noori Guest House in Indra Nagar, where one of the accused — Anurag alias Bobby — was eventually traced. Under questioning, he named the others: Dilip Deval, Lala Bhabor, and Golu Bilwal. The latter two were arrested soon after. Dilip Deval, the mastermind, fired at the police team sent to apprehend him and was killed in the retaliatory action on December 4, 2020. A pistol, live cartridges, and looted jewellery were recovered from his rented house.

The case that went to trial rested heavily on forensic evidence. Additional Public Prosecutor Samarth Patidar said 111 material exhibits, 210 documents, and 33 witnesses were placed before the court. DNA from the victims was found on the clothes and footwear of the accused. The scooter used to flee the scene carried Lala's DNA on the handlebars. Ballistic analysis confirmed that the bullets were fired from the pistol recovered from Dilip Deval's house.

Additional Sessions Judge Rajesh Namdev convicted Anurag alias Bobby (33), Golu alias Gaurav (29), and Lala Bhabor (27) on charges of murder and robbery, sentencing each to triple life imprisonment along with a fine.

Dilip Deval was no ordinary criminal. He was a fugitive from Gujarat's Dahod jail, where he had been imprisoned for murder, and had absconded on parole, living in Ratlam under false identity documents. Investigators found he had deliberately chosen the night of Chhoti Diwali so that gunshots would be drowned out by the noise of firecrackers. A separate killing in Ratlam's Kasturba Nagar on May 18, 2020 was also linked to him and his associates.

After the encounter, then Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had called Deval a "narpishach" — a human demon — saying such people had no right to live in society. All three surviving accused have been in custody since December 2, 2020.

Tension gripped Prakash Chowk area late last night after three masked men brutally assaulted a parking staff member at Usha Gold Parking when he tried to stop them from stealing.

According to preliminary information, the trio entered the parking premises with the intention of theft. When parking employee Kailash Soni and his colleagues tried to stop them, the accused attacked them with sticks. Kailash Soni, a resident of Tikri under Sagra police station, was badly injured in the assault. He suffered fractures in both hands and legs and is undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

Eyewitnesses said the three men had their faces covered and were roaming suspiciously in the parking area for quite some time. As soon as the employees confronted them, the miscreants launched a sudden attack, creating panic at the spot.

Police reached the spot immediately after receiving information and have registered a case against unidentified accused. Officers are now scanning CCTV footage from the area to identify and nab the culprits at the earliest.

The incident has spread fear among local residents and parking workers in the Prakash Chowk area. Many have demanded swift action by the police and better security arrangements in the busy commercial zone.

This is not the first incident of its kind in the region, where parking areas often become soft targets after dark. Authorities are reviewing the case and further details are awaited.

A jail guard posted at Morena prison has been arrested for vandalising vehicles and assaulting residents over two consecutive nights in Gwalior's Shri Vihar Colony, police said on Monday. The accused, identified as Vivek Yadav, was picked up after CCTV footage from the colony helped investigators trace him through the car he was using.

According to officials at the Bahodapur police station, the jail guard's actions left residents of the colony rattled, with multiple vehicles damaged and at least one person injured in the assault. A case has been registered against him under sections relating to assault and vandalism, and he is currently being questioned.

Attack On Colony Resident

Police said the trouble began on the night of June 14, when Sudeep Pratap Verma, a resident of Shri Vihar Colony, noticed a young man loitering suspiciously around 2:30 am. When Verma questioned him, the man allegedly began hurling abuses. Things escalated quickly after that, with the accused picking up a stone and striking Verma, injuring his hand.

Not stopping there, the accused went on to smash the front windscreen of Verma's i10 car. He then moved to a neighbouring house and broke the rear glass of Harish Sharma's WagonR, before leaving the colony.

Vandalism Repeated Next Night

What surprised police was that the same man returned to the colony the following night and resumed the vandalism. This time, he broke the rear windscreen of a Fiat car belonging to Pradyumna Maheshwari. He also pelted stones at the iron gate of Umashankar Dwivedi's house, according to the complaint filed with police.

The repeated nature of the attacks over two straight nights left several households in the colony anxious, residents told police, prompting them to approach the Bahodapur station with their complaints.

CCTV Footage Cracks Case

Investigators began scanning CCTV cameras installed in and around the colony soon after the complaints came in. The footage showed a Seltos car moving through the area on both nights, and police were able to identify the accused using the vehicle's registration number.

That trail led them to Vivek Yadav, a resident of Gwalior's Anand Nagar locality who currently works as a jail guard at the Morena district prison.

Drug Addiction Suspected

During preliminary questioning, police said indications emerged that Yadav has a history of substance abuse. Investigators believe he may have been under the influence of drugs when he carried out the vandalism on both occasions, though this aspect is still being examined as part of the ongoing probe.

Police Confirm Arrest

Bahodapur police station in-charge Alok Singh Parihar said the accused had been booked under charges of assault, vandalism and other related sections, and that he was arrested and taken into custody for questioning. Parihar added that the fact a government employee had indulged in such conduct made the matter all the more serious, and that further action would be taken strictly as per rules.

Police have not ruled out additional charges once the questioning is completed and have indicated that Yadav's service record and conduct will also be reviewed by the jail department, given his position as a serving jail guard.

A speeding bus rammed into an auto-rickshaw in Rewa’s Laua area on Sunday evening, leaving 15 passengers, including several children, seriously injured.

Over-speeding Bus Hits Auto

A major road accident took place near the Laua area on Sunday afternoon when a passenger bus operated by Puja Bus Service rammed into a shared auto-rickshaw from behind. According to local police sources, both vehicles were heading towards Rewa from Baikunthpur when the collision occurred around 4:30 PM. The impact was so severe that the front cabin of the auto-rickshaw was completely crushed, trapping several passengers inside.

Locals Launch Rescue Operation

The collision triggered panic at the spot as cries for help drew residents and passing commuters to the scene. Ground reports indicate that locals rushed to the mangled auto-rickshaw and began pulling out the trapped passengers before official help could arrive. The local police and 108 ambulance services were alerted immediately to transport the victims.

Children Among the Injured

Initial reports from the hospital administration confirmed that 15 people sustained injuries, with several listed in critical condition. Among those rushed to the hospital are three young children identified as Anant Avadhiya (8), Akshay Avadhiya (13), and Aditya Dubey (10). Other injured passengers include Kusumkali Saket, Samar Avadhiya, Ashi Avadhiya, Chanda Avadhiya, Pradeep Kumar Verma, Mahavir Yadav, Ankita Dubey, Ankita Avadhiya, Lalita Dubey, Pragati Soni, Shivansh Rajak, and Deepanjali Sharma.

ASP Leads Emergency Response

Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Sandeep Mishra, who happened to be passing through the same route at the time of the Rewa bus auto accident, halted his convoy to supervise the rescue efforts. ASP Mishra coordinated with local bystanders to ensure all victims were extracted safely and directed the jurisdictional police station to prioritize immediate medical attention for the victims.

Victims Admitted to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital

All 15 injured passengers were evacuated from the crash site and admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Rewa via emergency ambulances. Medical staff at the facility are currently administering treatment. While the names of the victims have been documented by the emergency ward, local authorities and hospital administration are still working to establish full identification and contact their respective families.

Traffic Disrupted on Highway

The accident led to a temporary traffic snarl on the busy route as onlookers gathered and the damaged vehicles blocked a part of the road. Eyewitnesses stated that the bus was travelling at a high speed, making it impossible for the driver to brake in time when the auto-rickshaw slowed down ahead. Police teams later cleared the wreckage to restore normal traffic flow.

Police Initiate Crash Probe

Local authorities confirmed that an official investigation into the exact cause of the crash has been initiated. Investigators are examining whether mechanical failure or sheer negligence on the part of the bus driver led to the pile-up. Statements from eyewitnesses are being recorded, and a case is being registered against the erring driver.

A woman opened fire during family talks at Parsamniya Garhi, injuring the royal family's daughter-in-law in the stomach; police have arrested the accused and seized the weapon

A shocking incident unfolded at a fort in Madhya Pradesh's Satna district on Thursday when a woman allegedly opened fire during a family reconciliation meeting, injuring the daughter-in-law of the Nagod royal family. The victim, Sanyogita Singh, was shot in the stomach and rushed to hospital in critical condition. Police have since arrested the accused, Sunita Parihar, and seized the licensed rifle allegedly used in the attack.

Talks Turn Violent at Parsamniya Garhi

The incident took place at Parsamniya Garhi, where Sanyogita's family had gathered from Udaipur, Rajasthan, in an attempt to resolve a long-running domestic dispute. Sanyogita is married to Rupendra Singh — locally known as Baba Raja — nephew of former minister and BJP MLA Nagendra Singh.

Her parents, brother and other relatives had made the trip specifically to broker peace between the estranged couple, who had reportedly been living separately for several years. Sanyogita had been staying at Nagod Fort, while Rupendra remained at Parsamniya Garhi. On Thursday, family members brought her to Parsamniya Garhi for the meeting. What was meant to be a reconciliation quickly deteriorated.

Nine Rounds Fired, One Hits Victim

According to Sanyogita's mother, Narendra Kumari, Sunita Parihar opened fire during the confrontation, allegedly discharging nine rounds. One bullet struck Sanyogita in the stomach, causing her to collapse.

Narendra Kumari made a serious allegation against her son-in-law — she claims Rupendra Singh repeatedly urged Sunita to shoot during the altercation. "We had come for talks. My son-in-law pushed my daughter out of the room and shut the door. Sunita then fired from a window," she alleged.

She also told police that Sunita had been living with Rupendra at the family property for nearly seven years, moving in after the death of Sanyogita's father-in-law.

Surgery Completed, Condition Improves

Sanyogita was taken to hospital immediately after the shooting. Surgery continued until around 1 am on Friday. She regained consciousness by around 10 am, according to family members present at the hospital.

Hospital sources confirmed her condition has stabilised following the operation and she is currently out of danger, though she remains under medical observation. Members of the royal family and close associates are maintaining a vigil at the hospital.

Relatives Allegedly Beat Husband After Shooting

The aftermath of the shooting saw a fresh flare-up. According to sources, Sanyogita's relatives, enraged by the attack, allegedly assaulted Rupendra Singh at the fort. Bystanders intervened and managed to de-escalate the situation, though tension lingered in the area for some time.

Police Probe Underway, Additional Forces Deployed

Sunita Parihar has been arrested on charges of the shooting. Police have seized the licensed rifle allegedly used in the firing. Officers are now examining the full sequence of events, the nature of the dispute, and the circumstances that led to the weapon being discharged.

As a precautionary measure, additional police personnel have been deployed in Parsamniya Garhi and surrounding areas. Officials said the situation is now under control, though the case has drawn considerable public attention in the region.

The incident has put a spotlight on what appears to be a deeply fractured family dispute within one of the area's prominent households — one that turned violent despite efforts to resolve matters peacefully.

A woman constable's husband among those named; City Kotwali says action will follow video verification

A video that has surfaced from the heart of Rewa city is posing uncomfortable questions for local police. The clip, now circulating widely, shows what residents describe as a long-running illegal gambling operation in a colony behind Fomens School near Gudha Chowraha, within the City Kotwali police station limits. Dozens of people are clearly visible in the footage, openly placing bets — in what locals say has been going on for years without any police intervention.

Gambling Den in Plain Sight

According to people familiar with the locality, the gambling den has been active for a considerable period. Gamblers reportedly arrive daily from different parts of the city and beyond, with stakes running into lakhs of rupees. That such a large-scale illegal operation could function unhindered in a densely populated urban area has left many residents baffled and angry.

The site falls squarely within the jurisdiction of City Kotwali, one of Rewa's main police stations. The absence of any previous raid or crackdown — despite the activity being common knowledge in the neighbourhood — is what has fuelled public frustration.

A Constable's Husband Named

The controversy deepened when names began circulating locally in connection with the gambling ring's operation. Shivcaharan and Ikhlak are said to be among those actively running the racket. More significantly, a woman police constable's husband has also been named as allegedly involved — an allegation that, if borne out, would point to direct complicity within the police force itself. These are claims doing the rounds at the local level and are yet to be officially confirmed or denied.

The involvement of a serving police personnel's family member has added a sharper edge to public anger. Many in the area are asking how such a high-visibility operation survived for so long without any administrative action.

Police Respond, Promise Action

City Kotwali police have acknowledged the video. Officials said the footage has come to their attention and that an inquiry has been initiated. According to local authorities, once the gambling is verified through the investigation, those visible in the video will be identified and legal action taken against them under the relevant provisions of the Gambling Act.

The statement, however, has done little to satisfy residents, many of whom feel the police response should have come on its own without the pressure of a viral video.

Credibility on the Line

Cases like this tend to resonate beyond the immediate locality. When illegal activity thrives openly in a busy urban neighbourhood for an extended period, it raises questions that go beyond a single gambling den. The focus inevitably shifts to whether there is a systematic failure — or worse, deliberate protection — allowing such operations to continue.

For Rewa police, the coming days will be telling. If the inquiry leads to real arrests and accountability — including scrutiny of the named individuals — it may partially restore confidence. If not, the video is likely to become a reference point in a wider conversation about policing standards in the city.

As of now, the case remains under investigation. The City Kotwali is yet to make any arrests.

A Border Security Force jawan on leave lost his life on Tuesday after accidentally falling from the roof of his house while watering plants.

A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan, who had recently returned home on leave, died after accidentally falling from the roof of his house in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district on Tuesday morning. The deceased, identified as Rangilal Kori, lost his balance while watering plants on the terrace, local officials and family sources confirmed.

Tragic Morning Accident in Rewa

The incident took place in the early hours of Tuesday when Kori went upstairs to tend to his plants. According to initial reports, his foot slipped near the edge of the terrace, causing him to lose his balance and plummet straight to the ground. The impact left him with severe, critical injuries. Hearing the commotion, family members rushed outside and immediately took him to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed during the course of treatment.

Return from Bengal Election Duty

Family members are in deep shock over the sudden tragedy, especially since Kori had only recently arrived home. Sources familiar with the matter said the BSF jawan had been deployed in West Bengal for election duty. After successfully completing his election assignment, he had taken a sanctioned leave to spend time with his family in Rewa before his next posting.

Joining Date Was June 4

The tragedy has hit the family particularly hard as Kori was preparing to return to active service within forty-eight hours. His vacation was coming to an end, and he was scheduled to report to his unit headquarters in Delhi on June 4. Relatives mentioned that the household was actually busy preparing for his departure back to the national capital when the accident took place.

Police Initiate Routine Investigation

Upon receiving information from the hospital administration, a local police team reached the spot to complete the legal formalities. Local authorities confirmed that a case has been registered, and a preliminary investigation has been initiated. The body was handed over to the grieving family members for the final rites after a post-mortem examination was conducted.

Case Ruled an Accident

While the investigation is ongoing, police officers noted that the initial site inspection and statements from eyewitnesses point to a clear case of accidental slipping. No foul play is suspected at this stage. A wave of mourning has spread across the locality following the sudden death of the BSF jawan, who was well-regarded in his native village.

A 12-year-old girl was allegedly sold by her own mother and stepfather for Rs 12 lakh in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, with police confirming the child was subsequently raped by at least three men over several months before the case came to light through counselling.

A Family That Failed Her

The sequence of events began in January 2025 when the victim's biological father died due to excessive alcohol consumption, leaving the family without support. Within months, her mother remarried a man identified as Pawan alias Paramal Gurjar, a resident of Laharca Chak in Guna district.

After the second marriage, Pawan brought the girl and her mother to Rajgarh. According to investigators, it was here that the criminal conspiracy took shape — the child was treated not as a family member but as a commodity.

Forced into Marriage at 12

On 3 February 2025, the minor was forcibly married off to 26-year-old Bhola alias Bholaram Gurjar. Police say the transaction involved Rs 8 lakh in cash and jewellery worth Rs 4 lakh — an outright case of child trafficking dressed up as matrimony.

The groom allegedly raped the girl on their wedding night. In the weeks that followed, her stepfather Pawan also sexually assaulted her multiple times. Threatened into silence, the child endured the abuse without telling anyone.

Abandoned, Exploited, Assaulted Again

Her ordeal did not end there. Pawan eventually abandoned the girl's mother and went absconding. The mother then contracted a third marriage in Rajasthan and left her daughter behind at the home of a woman named Shaitanbai in Rajgarh, where the child was made to do household work.

It was during this period that another accused, Devraj Gurjar, found an opportunity to sexually assault her.

How the Case Surfaced

The matter came to the notice of Kotwali police station in-charge Inspector Manju Makhenia. Acting on the information, authorities placed the girl in a safe environment and arranged counselling. Once she felt assured of protection, the child narrated her ordeal in detail — describing months of physical, mental, and sexual abuse carried out under constant threats and intimidation.

"She had been living under fear for a long time. The counselling gave her the confidence to speak," a police official said.

Five Arrested, Mastermind Still at Large

An FIR bearing crime number 350/2026 has been registered at Kotwali police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.

Five of the six accused have been arrested: Bhola alias Bholaram Gurjar, Devraj Gurjar, Sagar Gurjar, Shaitanbai, and the victim's mother. The prime accused, Pawan alias Paramal Gurjar, remains at large. Police have announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for information leading to his arrest and are conducting raids at multiple locations.

Child Marriage Still Happening in Shadows

Despite laws being in place for nearly five decades, child marriages continue to occur across India — not in public ceremony but in secrecy, often in agricultural fields, away from any gathering or decoration. The Prevention of Child Marriage Act was enacted in 2006 with strengthened provisions, following the 1978 amendment that raised the legal marriage age for girls to 18. Yet cases like this one reveal how legislation alone cannot protect a child when her own family becomes the instrument of exploitation.

The Rajgarh case is a stark reminder that trafficking does not always happen at borders or in distant cities. Sometimes it happens within the home.