The case relates to the death of a woman from the Kartala police station area who was found hanging inside her home on January 30, 2018.

While delivering the verdict, Justice N.K. Vyas observed that the victim had been subjected to continuous harassment and intimidation by the accused, leaving her with no practical alternative except to take the extreme step of ending her life. The court held that the circumstances and evidence on record established a direct link between the accused's conduct and the victim's suicide.

According to the prosecution, the woman had gone to sleep after dinner on the night of January 29, 2018. The following morning, her mother discovered her hanging from a scarf tied to a pipe inside the room.

During the investigation, police recovered a mobile phone and a suicide note. Based on the complaint lodged by the victim's mother, a case was registered against Mohammad Seraj.

Investigators later alleged that the accused was in a one-sided relationship and repeatedly pressured the woman to marry him. When she refused, he allegedly continued to pursue her, threaten her and harass both her and her family members.

Court records indicated that the alleged harassment had continued for an extended period before the woman's death.

The prosecution also presented evidence suggesting that the victim had previously attempted suicide in May 2017 by slashing her wrist. She was taken to hospital and received medical treatment. The case further revealed the emotional strain experienced by the family, with the victim's mother reportedly consuming sleeping pills due to stress arising from the situation.

According to evidence presented before the court, local village representatives and police officials had earlier attempted to intervene and counsel the accused, but the alleged harassment did not stop.

The case initially took a different turn when a sessions court in Korba acquitted the accused in January 2019.

At the time, the trial court cited insufficient evidence and noted that the handwriting in the alleged suicide note had not been verified by a handwriting expert. It also held that there was inadequate proof to establish direct instigation for suicide.

The acquittal was subsequently challenged before the High Court.

While reviewing the matter, the High Court disagreed with the reasoning adopted by the lower court. Justice Vyas observed that the trial court had failed to properly appreciate the testimony of the victim's mother and had placed undue emphasis on the absence of independent witnesses.

The High Court reiterated a long-established legal principle that the quality of evidence is more important than the quantity of witnesses.

The court further held that strong oral testimony, supported by medical evidence and the overall circumstances of the case, was sufficient to establish the accused's role. It concluded that the absence of expert handwriting verification alone could not undermine the prosecution's case when other evidence pointed towards sustained harassment.

As a result, the High Court convicted Mohammad Seraj under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with abetment of suicide.

The judgment is being viewed as an important reminder of the legal consequences of prolonged harassment, intimidation and coercive behaviour, particularly in cases involving unwanted relationships and marriage pressure.

The matter will now move to the sentencing stage.

The High Court has scheduled a hearing on July 27 to determine the quantum of punishment. The convicted individual or his legal representative has been directed to remain present before the court during the proceedings.

The final sentence will be decided after hearing arguments from both sides regarding mitigating and aggravating circumstances in the case.

Rail passengers in Chhattisgarh are set to face travel disruptions as the South East Central Railway (SECR) has cancelled eight MEMU and passenger trains on July 22 and 23 due to infrastructure work on the Bhatapara–Hathbandh section in the Raipur Division.

The services have been suspended to facilitate non-interlocking (NI) work required for the commissioning of an automatic signalling system on the third railway line. Railway officials said the work is part of an ongoing infrastructure development programme aimed at improving operational efficiency and increasing line capacity.

Third-Line Project Behind the Disruption

According to SECR, the third-line project between Bhatapara and Hathbandh is progressing rapidly, and the current phase involves installing and commissioning automatic signalling equipment. During the non-interlocking work, train operations on the affected section will remain restricted, leading to temporary cancellations.

Railway authorities said the infrastructure upgrade is expected to improve train movement and reduce congestion on one of the region's busiest rail corridors once completed.

Trains Cancelled on July 22

The following trains will remain cancelled on 22 July:

• Train No. 68728 – Raipur–Bilaspur MEMU Passenger
• Train No. 68734 – Bilaspur–Gevra Road MEMU Passenger
• Train No. 68733 – Gevra Road–Bilaspur MEMU Passenger
• Train No. 68719 – Bilaspur–Raipur MEMU Passenger
• Train No. 58203 – Korba–Raipur Passenger
• Train No. 58204 – Raipur–Korba Passenger
• Train No. 68746 – Raipur–Gevra Road MEMU Passenger

Train Cancelled on July 23

• Train No. 68745 – Korba–Raipur MEMU Passenger

Jharsuguda–Gondia MEMU to Be Short-Terminated

Railway authorities have also announced changes to the 68862/68861 Jharsuguda–Gondia–Jharsuguda MEMU service.

On 22 July, the train will terminate at Bilaspur and begin its return journey from the same station. As a result, services between Bilaspur and Gondia in both directions will remain cancelled for the day.

Passengers Advised to Check Train Status

With several local and regional passenger services affected, commuters travelling between Bilaspur, Raipur, Korba, Gevra Road and Gondia have been advised to verify the latest train status before starting their journey.

Railway officials have said the temporary inconvenience is necessary to complete the signalling upgrade, which is expected to improve safety, operational efficiency and capacity on the route in the long run.

Serious concerns over the quality of public infrastructure have emerged in Chhattisgarh after a newly inaugurated railway overbridge in Rajnandgaon developed a massive crack following the season's first heavy rainfall. The Barga Railway Overbridge, opened to traffic just around two weeks ago, split across its surface with a 60–70-foot-long crack measuring nearly 10–12 centimetres wide, prompting safety concerns among local residents.

Another newly built overbridge at Aliwara also suffered damage after heavy rain, with portions of the approach road washing away, boundary structures collapsing and the bridge base reportedly subsiding at multiple locations. Barricades have been placed around the affected areas to restrict movement.

Both railway overbridges, constructed between Rajnandgaon and Dongargarh at a reported cost of around ₹22 crore, were inaugurated in June and opened for public use only recently.

Villagers Raise Questions Over Construction Quality

Residents gathered at the Barga overbridge after noticing the widening crack and accused authorities of poor construction quality. Several villagers alleged that inferior construction materials may have been used and questioned whether the bridge foundation had been properly prepared.

Some locals claimed that the cement appeared to be of poor quality, while gravel and asphalt could reportedly be removed by hand from portions of the road surface. Villagers also alleged that despite informing officials about the damage, no senior railway or district administration officer immediately visited the site.

Railway Orders Technical Inspection

Responding to the incident, Mithilesh Kumar, Assistant Engineer with the Gondia Railway Division, said a technical team and bridge designers would inspect the structure.

He stated that the affected portion would be rectified and suggested the issue could be linked to initial soil settlement after rainfall. According to him, the railway administration is taking all necessary precautions and a detailed assessment will determine the required corrective measures.

Meanwhile, Rajendra Singh Ghai, Director of Ghai Construction Pvt. Ltd., the company that executed the project, maintained that there is no risk of the bridge collapsing. He said the visible damage was due to normal settling of the soil rather than any structural failure.

Another Bridge Damaged in Korba

In a separate incident, a culvert built over Joginala in Bhaisamuda village of Korba district also suffered major damage after heavy rain.

The structure, reportedly constructed at a cost of nearly ₹3 crore, partially collapsed as strong water flow washed away one section of the culvert, leaving deep craters on the road and disrupting traffic.

Villagers alleged that complaints regarding irregularities during construction had been ignored by authorities. They further claimed that no information board displaying details of the executing agency, contractor or project cost had been installed at the site, raising questions about transparency.

According to village sarpanch Anand Binjhwar, the culvert was completed less than a year ago and failed during its first major monsoon spell.

Calls for Investigation Grow

The back-to-back incidents have triggered fresh demands for an independent inquiry into the quality of recently completed infrastructure projects in the state.

Residents have urged the government and concerned departments to conduct a technical audit of the damaged structures, fix accountability if construction defects are established, and ensure public safety before allowing traffic on the affected bridges.

Authorities are expected to assess the extent of damage before deciding on repair work and further action.

Victim had beaten the accused earlier in the day for roaming naked; attacker retaliated with 30-35 stick blows on head while victim slept on platform

A 40-year-old laborer was beaten to death in broad daylight on Monday in Korba, Chhattisgarh, in a brutal revenge attack that was captured on live video. The incident occurred on a platform under the railway overbridge in the city.

The victim, Rajesh Maharaj, a daily wage laborer, was sleeping on the platform in an inebriated state when the accused, Bharat Sahu (38), allegedly struck him 30 to 35 times on the head with a wooden stick.

According to police, the attack was a retaliation for an earlier altercation that morning. Rajesh had beaten Bharat after finding him wandering naked in a drunken state. The argument escalated when Rajesh kicked and punched Bharat, who then left the spot.

In the afternoon, Rajesh was sleeping on the platform as usual. Bharat arrived, sat beside him for some time, and then suddenly picked up a wooden stick and launched a relentless attack on Rajesh's head. Bystanders present at the scene attempted to stop the assault and catch the accused, but Bharat managed to flee.

Police were informed about the incident and a team from Kotwali police station, led by TI M.B. Patel, arrived at the scene. The body was sent for post-mortem examination.

CCTV footage leads to arrest

Using CCTV footage and the live video that surfaced online, police identified the accused and arrested him. According to police sources, the two had a history of disputes and physical altercations.

"The victim and accused had several fights in the past. In the morning, the victim assaulted the accused for roaming naked in public. The accused waited and retaliated in the afternoon," a police officer said.

The accused will be produced in court and sent to jail.

Similar crime in Chhattisgarh

In a similar incident, a fish trader was stabbed to death by his workers in Dhamtari district. The accused, angry over unpaid wages and the trader's behavior, allegedly stabbed the trader more than 40 times with knives, causing severe injuries.

Father-son among accused attacked victim with knife, sticks and bricks in broad daylight; live video of incident surfaces online

A 22-year-old DJ operator was beaten to death in Chhattisgarh's Korba district late Sunday night over a dispute that began with an Instagram story.

The victim, Ravi Yadav, a resident of Ramsagar Para under Kotwali police station limits, was returning home from an event when he was attacked by a group of men armed with knives, sticks and bricks.

The attack was allegedly led by Mahendra Gangwani, a local vendor, along with his minor son and several associates. The violent assault was captured on video by bystanders and has since gone viral on social media.

According to police, the dispute between Yadav and Gangwani began about a week ago over an Instagram story. The argument escalated into a physical altercation, and a complaint was filed at the local police station. For a few days, the matter remained quiet.

On Sunday night, Yadav was returning home from an event when he encountered Gangwani. The two again exchanged heated words, and the situation quickly turned violent.

Gangwani, along with his minor son and other accomplices, launched a brutal attack on Yadav. They used knives, sticks and bricks, repeatedly striking him on the head and body. Yadav collapsed at the spot, bleeding profusely, and died on the scene due to excessive bleeding.

A friend who tried to intervene was also severely injured and was admitted to a hospital for treatment.

Following the murder, angry locals gathered at the accused's house and vandalized his property and vehicle. Tension gripped the area. Family members of the deceased and local residents staged a protest outside the Kotwali police station, demanding justice.

Seven Arrested, Investigation Underway

Police arrived at the scene after receiving information about the incident. The injured friend was rushed to the hospital. Yadav's body was sent for post-mortem examination.

Police have arrested seven people in connection with the murder, including the two masterminds. According to Additional SP Lakhan Patle, the incident occurred at around 10 pm on Sunday. The prime accused, Harshit Gangwani and Mahendra Gangwani, are being interrogated.

Superintendent of Police Siddharth Tiwari visited the Kotwali police station and the crime scene. A heavy police force has been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.

The exact nature of the Instagram story that sparked the dispute is yet to be ascertained. Police are investigating the matter further.

Residents have alleged that the audacity of local goons is growing due to police negligence. They complained that incidents of lynching, feuds, hooliganism and stabbings are common in the Ramsagar Para, Motisagar Para, and Sitamani areas under the Kotwali station area.

Three days after a 23-year-old woman was buried without a post-mortem in a village in Chhattisgarh's Korba district, police exhumed her body following a complaint by her family alleging murder. The case, centred on Ghurai Bai of Chhirhut village under Shyang police station limits, has set off a confrontation between the woman's natal family and her husband, with the two sides offering starkly different accounts of how she died.

Ghurai, originally from Kuma village in Raigarh district, had been married to Dilip Baiga of Chhirhut for about three years. The couple has a one-and-a-half-year-old child. She died on 16 June. The following day, her body was buried without any post-mortem examination — a fact that immediately raised suspicions among her relatives when they arrived and learned of the circumstances.

Her family filed a written complaint at Shyang police station, alleging that Dilip had frequently quarrelled with and beaten Ghurai over suspected infidelity, and that her death was not natural. They accused him of killing her and hastily disposing of the body to conceal the crime.

Police took the complaint seriously. On 19 June, a team comprising the Sub-Divisional Officer of Police, the station in-charge, the Scene of Crime unit and administrative officials reached the village and supervised the exhumation. The body was retrieved in the presence of a large number of villagers, a panchnama was conducted, and the remains were sent for post-mortem.

Dilip Baiga has denied all allegations. He maintained that his wife fell suddenly ill and died of a natural illness, calling the murder accusations entirely baseless.

The Additional Superintendent of Police confirmed that Shyang police have recorded statements from the deceased's family and registered an unnatural death case. The actual cause of death, he said, will be determined only after post-mortem and forensic examination reports are received, and further legal action will follow accordingly.

The child's future has also become a point of concern in the village. Ghurai's family has said that if the investigation confirms foul play, they will demand justice not just for her but for the infant left behind.

Road dispute turned violent on June 7, Bolero driver ran over 24-year-old Chandramani Ratre; two arrested, one a minor

A 24-year-old man was run over by occupants of a Bolero during a road dispute in Korba on the night of June 7 and died in a Raipur private hospital six days later, police and family sources said on Sunday.

According to officials, the victim was identified as Chandramani Ratre, a resident of Pantora village in Janjgir-Champa district and the son of ASI Ramnarayan Ratre of the traffic police. Initial reports indicate the incident began on the Budhwari bypass road in Korba late on June 7 when occupants of a Bolero allegedly created a disturbance on the road.

What happened
Sources familiar with the case said Chandramani was travelling in a car with friends when the Bolero party demanded right of way. A heated argument reportedly followed. As Chandramani stepped out of the car, the Bolero accelerated and struck him, leaving him critically injured.

“After being hit, Chandramani was taken to a private hospital in Korba,” a local police officer said. “His condition remained critical and he was later shifted to Raipur for advanced treatment, where he succumbed to injuries on June 13.”

Companion attacked, robbed
Two of Chandramani’s companions, identified as Arvind Rathore and Sahil Nirmalkar, chased the Bolero on a scooter, police said. They were allegedly intercepted by the attackers. Arvind suffered multiple injuries to his hands, face and body after being beaten, according to those close to the family. He was reportedly dumped by the attackers on the roadside, who later fled the scene.

Family members told reporters the assailants looted Arvind during the attack, taking around Rs 1 lakh in cash, an iPhone and gold jewellery including a ring and a chain. Police recovered the victim’s abandoned car three days after the incident.

CCTV footage emerges
Local sources said a CCTV clip of the incident has surfaced and is with investigators. “The footage is being examined for identification of other suspects and to corroborate witness statements,” a senior officer in Korba’s police administration said, requesting anonymity.

Arrests and probe
Korba police have arrested two suspects, one of whom is a juvenile. The arrested adult has been named as Kapil Kumar Sarathi of Katghora, officials said. Both are being questioned; probes are continuing into charges that include murder, kidnapping and robbery.

“Investigation is on multiple angles,” the Korba police official said. “We are tracking down other accused seen in the CCTV and those who fled after the incident.”

Local reaction
News of Chandramani’s death triggered anger in parts of the city and in his native village. His last rites were held in Pantora village. Social groups and friends staged demonstrations and demanded swift arrests and stringent punishment for the culprits.

“People are shocked and upset. This was a brutal act over a trivial road dispute,” a relative said. Community leaders called for heightened patrolling and immediate action by authorities to restore a sense of safety.

Background and context
Road rage incidents involving SUVs and light commercial vehicles have drawn attention across several central Indian towns in recent years, raising concerns about reckless driving and mob violence. Police sources said investigators are examining whether alcohol, prior altercations, or communal links played any part in the Korba episode.

What’s next
Police said medical reports and the CCTV are being used to strengthen the charges. Further arrests are expected as more witnesses come forward, the official added. The juvenile suspect will be dealt with under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, while the adult suspect faces prosecution under Indian Penal Code sections for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, robbery and kidnapping, pending legal advice.

For now, the case has stirred local outrage and renewed calls for stricter enforcement against road-side vigilantism and violent reprisals.

Chhattisgarh Transport Department on Monday ordered a wide-ranging administrative reshuffle, transferring 165 officers and staff across the state as part of an effort to streamline operations and strengthen field-level oversight. The transfers, issued by the Transport Commissioner’s office, include new appointments to several district and checkpost roles, with Narayanpur and Bijapur receiving new in-charge district transport officers (DTOs).

Major move announced
According to the official order seen by this reporter, the roster covers 46 transport inspectors, 50 transport sub‑inspectors, 16 assistant sub‑inspectors, 35 head guards (pradhan aaraksak) and 18 guards (aaraksak). The department has instructed all transferred personnel to assume charge at their new postings with immediate effect.

New district leads named
Sources in the department confirmed that Transport Inspector Anupam Patel, previously posted with the Korba flying squad (udandasta), has been appointed the in‑charge DTO of Narayanpur. Sanat Kumar Jagde, who was serving in Durg, has been given charge of Bijapur district. Officials described both postings as administratively significant because the two districts present logistical and regulatory challenges that require experienced supervision.

Other key placements
The transfer list also named several operational moves intended to tighten enforcement at checkposts and improve mobile squad coverage. Krishna Kumar Chaubey has moved from Ambikapur to the Chilfi checkpost; Vaibhav Shukla has been shifted from Raipur to Ramanujganj; and Mohammad Abid Khan will now serve at the Dhanpunji checkpost, coming from Kota. In Raipur’s flying squad, Santosh Kumar Rathore, Chandra Kumar Sahu and Aruna Sahu have been newly posted.

In Bilaspur, Mahendra Kumar Kuldeep has been posted to the transport office, while Rajendra Kumar Barman has been shifted from Patekohra checkpost to the Raigarh flying squad. Keshav Prasad Rajwade moves to the Durg flying squad, and Jitendra Bhushan has been assigned responsibilities at the Patekohra checkpost.

Reason and expected effects
An official who asked not to be named said the reshuffle is “part of routine administrative practice,” aimed at improving transparency, administrative control and the operational efficiency of the transport department across districts. “Rotations help reduce localised complacency and ensure fresh supervision at busy checkposts,” the source added.

Transport department communiqués and local officials indicate the move also targets strengthening field‑level monitoring of goods and passenger vehicle compliance, tolling of permits, and enforcement against overloading and safety lapses — issues that remain high priorities for regional transport enforcement teams.

Ground-level context
On the ground, drivers and operators at several checkposts said they expected short-term disruption as new officers settled in. “There will be some adjustment, but if the new DTOs focus on quick permit clearances and fair enforcement, operators here will welcome it,” said a transport contractor at a Raipur transit hub, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Administrative staff in a couple of districts reported receiving transfer orders late Sunday evening, and several officers left for their new stations overnight. Local officials expect the administrative handover to be completed within a few days, barring travel delays.

Next steps and oversight
The department has stressed immediate joining and directed senior officers to oversee a smooth transition. District authorities will likely hold briefings this week to hand over files, update vehicle records and reassign local teams.

Transport analysts note that while transfers alone do not guarantee better enforcement, rotating personnel — when paired with clear performance targets and supervisory checks — can improve responsiveness, especially at checkposts that handle heavy commercial traffic.

What to watch
In the coming weeks, the department’s ability to quickly stabilise operations at key checkposts and maintain permit and safety oversight will be a practical test of this reshuffle. Motorists and transport unions have said they will watch for changes in enforcement patterns and any impact on clearance times at major transit points.

For now, the department is moving ahead with immediate effect orders and has signalled a tighter focus on field monitoring and administrative control across Chhattisgarh.

Meteorological department warns of thunder, heavy winds across state; Korba tree-fall kills three, Raipur likely to see 41°C daytime high

Relief from the recent heatwave was short-lived as the State Meteorological Department on Sunday forecast thunder, lightning, heavy winds and localized rain over the next five days, with gusts likely reaching 50–60 kilometres per hour in parts of the state. The warning comes a day after a sudden storm in Korba’s Pali police station area caused a fatal tree collapse that killed three youths.

What happened in Korba
Saturday evening’s storm struck without much lead time, sending people rushing for cover. According to local police and hospital sources, three young men who took shelter under a large roadside tree in Pali were fatally injured when a heavy branch snapped and fell on them. Initial reports say the men were pronounced dead at the scene; their identities are being verified and an inquest has been ordered, officials said.

Other local impacts
Across the state, showers and gusty winds were reported in Raipur, Sarguja and Pendra. In Pendra, authorities reported that strong winds tore off a tin shed and uprooted at least one tree. No casualties were reported from those incidents. Meteorological data for the past 24 hours showed Durg recorded the highest daytime temperature at 42.6°C, while Pendra Road logged a minimum of 24.2°C.

What the forecast says
The meteorological department issued a fresh advisory early Sunday, warning of thunder, lightning, heavy winds and isolated heavy rainfall over various districts through the coming five days. Officials said two trough systems — one extending from central Pakistan to the Andhra coast and another active in the upper levels from the Bay of Bengal to the Lakshadweep region — are pumping moisture into the region and destabilising the atmosphere.

“Due to these systems, we expect convective activity across Chhattisgarh. Wind gusts of 50–60 km/h are possible at isolated places, along with lightning and scattered heavy showers,” a state meteorological official told reporters. The forecast specifically named Raipur, Durg, Korba, Sarguja and adjacent districts as areas likely to be affected.

Local advisory and safety tips
State authorities urged people to avoid standing under trees, stay away from power poles and open fields during storms, and secure loose objects that can be blown away by strong winds. The department also advised farmers to protect standing crops and fishermen to avoid venturing into seas or large reservoirs until advisories are lifted.

Raipur outlook
For the state capital, forecasters expect the sky to remain partly to mostly cloudy on Sunday with chances of thunder, dust squalls or brief heavy rain during the day. Raipur’s daytime temperature is likely to hover around 41°C, with a minimum near 28°C, offering modest relief from the more extreme highs recorded earlier in the week.

Wider context
Weather officials said daytime temperatures across the state have already fallen by 2–3 degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours, and another 2–3 degree drop is possible over the next two days as convective activity continues. However, they cautioned that the accompanying winds and lightning will pose hazards, especially where infrastructure is vulnerable.

Ground reaction
Residents in low-lying and open areas reported sudden changes in wind direction and rapid cloud build-up on Saturday evening. “The sky darkened within minutes and the wind hit so hard that sheets of the temporary market stalls started flapping,” said one trader in Pendra, who declined to be named. Local civic bodies said they are on alert and monitoring vulnerable trees and electricity lines.

What’s next
Authorities said district administrations have been asked to keep disaster response teams on standby and to coordinate with power and road departments for quick restoration work if needed. The meteorological department will review the situation daily and issue updates; people are being asked to follow local alerts and exercise caution during outdoor activities.

Korba Man Beheads Wife After Domestic Dispute, Arrested

A man in Korba, Chhattisgarh, allegedly killed his wife by beheading her after a domestic dispute over character suspicion, police said. The accused was later arrested after he was seen roaming in the village with the severed head.

Brutal crime scene

A shocking murder in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district has left villagers stunned after a man allegedly attacked his wife with a knife and severed her head during a heated quarrel. The incident took place in Bundeli village under the Jamagaar police station area on Wednesday. Police said the accused, identified as Salik Ram Yadav Satranga, later walked around the village carrying the severed head.stgpaper.

The murder allegedly happened in front of the couple’s children, who were present at home when the violence broke out. The gruesome nature of the crime and the accused’s behaviour after the killing sparked panic in the village.

Accused identified

Police said Salik Ram, 45, worked as a watchman at a poultry farm owned by Kaushal Sahu and had been living there with his wife, Chhek Bai, 42, and their four children. The family had been staying in the same premises for several years.

Officials said the couple often fought over suspicion about the woman’s character. Investigators believe the latest argument escalated after both had consumed alcohol. Police are now examining the sequence of events that led to the killing.

Police reach spot

After the killing, the accused allegedly kept roaming in the village with the severed head before sitting with it in a sack. Villagers informed the police, following which a team led by Korba CSP Prateek Chaturvedi and the Rajgamar outpost staff reached the spot.

When officers questioned him about the bloodstains on his body, the accused reportedly said they were his wife’s blood and claimed he loved her deeply. Police later arrested him and began further legal action.

Children at home

The presence of the couple’s two children at the time of the incident has added to the shock surrounding the case. Police are expected to record statements and assess the impact of the crime on the minors. Such cases often require immediate child protection support along with criminal investigation.

The village has remained tense since the incident, with residents describing the crime as one of the most disturbing acts they have seen in recent years. Some locals also recorded videos of the accused, which later spread on social media.

Official action

Police have taken the accused into custody and sent the body for post-mortem examination. Authorities are also checking whether previous complaints, alcohol use, or repeated domestic quarrels played a role in the murder.

The case is being handled as a serious murder investigation, and officials said all possible angles are under review. For now, the accused remains in custody while forensic and legal procedures continue.

Wider concern

The case once again highlights the deadly consequences of domestic conflict, alcohol abuse, and unchecked mistrust inside families. In many such Latest News Today and India News Update cases, violence begins with repeated arguments and ends in irreversible loss.

For readers of an English News Portal India, this is not just a Public Interest Story from Korba, but also a grim reminder of how quickly domestic tension can turn into extreme crime.

What lies ahead

The police investigation will now focus on forensic evidence, witness accounts, and the children’s statements to establish the full chain of events. Officials are also likely to examine the role of alcohol and the couple’s history of disputes. The final charge sheet will depend on the post-mortem report and other evidence gathered from the scene.

Ex-Minister Jaysingh Agarwal Warns of Agitation Over SECL's Manikpur Mine Expansion

Chhattisgarh leader threatens mass protest unless SECL addresses compensation and employment demands of displaced villagers in Korba

Former minister Jaysingh Agarwal has taken a direct stand against the management of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), issuing a firm warning of a large-scale public agitation if hundreds of families displaced by the Manikpur mine expansion in Korba district are not given fair compensation and employment without further delay.

Agarwal has written to SECL's Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), demanding urgent intervention in a crisis that, he says, has been festering for years due to administrative indifference.

Hundreds of Families in Distress

According to the letter, residents of Bhilai Khurd villages — including settlements numbered 1, 2, and 3 — along with those from surrounding areas are facing a mounting livelihood crisis triggered by successive rounds of land acquisition linked to the mine's expansion.

The former minister pointed out that when approximately 80 acres of agricultural and residential land was acquired in an earlier phase, SECL had given assurances of local employment. Those promises, he stated, were never fulfilled. Now, with a fresh acquisition drive for nearly 60 additional acres reportedly under way, anxiety among the affected families has reached a tipping point.

Compensation Process Under Fire

Agarwal levelled serious allegations of irregularity in how compensation has been assessed and disbursed. He alleged that newly constructed houses in the affected villages are being excluded from the valuation process because the drone surveys used to map structures are outdated and fail to account for recent construction.

As per his letter, this effectively denies a section of residents any compensation for homes they have built legitimately, and the practice amounts to systematic discrimination. He described the management's handling of the situation as a reflection of institutional insensitivity toward vulnerable communities.

Three Demands Put Before SECL

The former legislator placed three non-negotiable demands before the SECL management. First, he has demanded that all affected families receive just and transparent compensation calculated at current market rates for both land and structures, to be released without further delay.

Second, he has called for a fresh drone survey of newly built homes so that these properties are included in the compensation framework. Third, he has demanded that youth from the displaced villages be given priority in permanent employment with the company — a commitment he says SECL has repeatedly made but never honoured.

General Manager Asked to Intervene

Beyond the CMD, Agarwal has specifically requested that the General Manager of SECL's Korba area be directed to personally engage with the grievances of affected residents. He made clear that if swift and concrete action is not taken, the management would bear full responsibility for whatever public unrest follows.

Warning of Mass Agitation

Sources close to Agarwal indicated that he has already begun consultations with local community leaders and that ground-level discontent is building rapidly. The former minister told officials that if the matter is not addressed within a reasonable time, a wide-ranging public agitation would be mobilised across the affected villages.

This is not the first time the Manikpur expansion has drawn political and community opposition. The Manikpur Opencast coal mine, operated by SECL at a capacity of 5.25 million tonnes per annum, spans over 1,000 hectares in Tehsil and District Korba and has a long history of phased expansion that has repeatedly affected nearby habitations.

Broader Context

The Korba coalfield remains one of the most production-intensive zones in India's coal belt. The sub-areas of the Korba Coalfield include Manikpur among several key mining zones, with Korba accounting for a substantial share of SECL's overall output. As production targets rise, the human cost borne by communities along the mine's periphery has increasingly become a flashpoint for political mobilisation.

Agarwal's intervention is being seen in local political circles as a signal that the displaced residents' patience has run out, and that the issue could escalate significantly if SECL does not respond before the next round of acquisition proceedings moves forward.

SECL management had not issued a formal response to the letter at the time of publishing this report.

Two Korba power plant workers found dead in forest area

The bodies of two friends, employed as contract workers at the Balco power plant, were recovered from a single noose in the Belakachhar forest on Thursday.

 In a chilling discovery that has sent shockwaves through the Belakachhar village in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district, the bodies of two young men were found hanging from a tree on Thursday morning. The deceased, identified as Pramod Kanwar (27) and Amit Mathur (28), were residents of the same village and worked as contract labourers at the Balco power plant.

According to officials, the duo had left their respective homes on Wednesday afternoon, informing family members that they were heading out for a stroll. When they failed to return by late evening, anxious relatives attempted to contact them via mobile phones, which remained unreachable. A search was launched by the families throughout the night, but no clues were found until villagers heading into the forest spotted the bodies at daybreak.

Initial discovery by villagers

The grim scene was discovered by locals who were on their way to the forest for morning chores. They immediately alerted the Balco police station. Upon arrival, the police noted that both men were hanging from the same piece of cloth tied to a tree branch.

Identity of the deceased

The victims were confirmed to be married men and local inhabitants. Preliminary inquiries suggest that neither Pramod nor Amit had reported for work at the power plant for the last few days. The sudden absence from their professional duties is now a key point of the police investigation.

Police launch detailed probe

A forensic team was called to the site to collect evidence. While the primary appearance suggests a suicide pact, the Balco police have not ruled out foul play. “We are looking at both suicide and murder angles,” a senior police official stated. The bodies have been sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause and time of death.

Family members in shock

The families of the two men remain inconsolable. According to Amit's kin, Pramod had reached Amit’s house around 1:00 PM on Wednesday, after which they left together. There were no immediate signs of distress or conflict reported by the families prior to the incident.

Similar past incidents noted

This incident has drawn parallels to a case reported in Raigarh district on March 10, where two friends were found hanging from a single sari following a birthday celebration. In that case, as well, the motive remained shrouded in mystery, raising concerns over such patterns in the region.

Next steps in investigation

The Balco police have registered a case under accidental death reports (Marg) for now. Statements from colleagues at the Balco power plant and mobile call records are being scrutinized to piece together the final hours of the victims. Authorities are awaiting the autopsy report to steer the direction of the ongoing India News Update.