Ramsahay Jaiswal served spiked liquor to victims; police exhume 7 bodies for forensic tests; villagers claim plot to sacrifice 21 people

In a case that has sent shockwaves through Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar district, police have arrested a local grocery shop owner for the alleged poisoning of eight villagers over a period of three months — a crime investigators believe was driven by an obsession with hidden treasure.

Ramsahay Jaiswal (45), a resident of Kharve village under Kasdol police station, was taken into custody on Saturday after two days of intense interrogation during which he reportedly confessed to the killings. Police have registered nine FIRs against him under sections related to murder and poisoning.

The Timeline of Deaths

The string of suspicious deaths began on February 6, 2026, when Badri Patel died. Over the following weeks and months, seven more men lost their lives:

- February 6: Badri Patel

- February 20: Budhalu Sahu

- March 12: Budhram Jaiswal

- March 20: Chhatturam Sahu

- March 31: Vinod Sahu

- April 28: Gajanan Manjhi

- April 29: Chaituram Sahu

- May 14: Mahetru Sahu

The victims, aged between 42 and 55, were all liquor addicts who had direct or indirect links with Jaiswal.

How the Crime Unfolded

According to villagers, Jaiswal would offer liquor laced with poison to his targets at different times. Within minutes of consumption, the victims' health would deteriorate rapidly, leading to their deaths.

Kamta Prasad, brother of deceased Chhatturam Sahu and uncle of Vinod Sahu, alleged that Jaiswal either served the poisoned liquor personally or arranged for it to be delivered through others.

What makes the case particularly chilling is Jaiswal's behaviour leading up to the arrests. Villagers told police that he would openly share violent plans — but people dismissed them as jokes. He allegedly spoke of setting a gas cylinder on fire to explode when people came to extinguish it, and urged youth to set tractors ablaze.

"The most surprising thing was that he seemed to be happy when discussing the frequent deaths in the village," villagers recounted. "Whenever someone died, Ramsai was the first to be informed. He would call people to his shop and inform them of the deaths. It seemed as if he was slowly moving towards some hidden target".

The Treasure Hunt Theory

A darker narrative has emerged from the village — one of black magic and human sacrifice. According to police sources, villagers suspect Jaiswal was attempting to unearth a hidden treasure buried in the ground, locally referred to as 'hunda'.

Some villagers claimed Jaiswal had been planning to sacrifice 21 people to obtain the buried wealth. With eight deaths already recorded, fears grew that 13 more lives were still at risk. He allegedly placed images of deities for tantric practices in a corner of his shop.

Police Investigation

Following complaints from grieving families, police launched an investigation. On Saturday, a team of police personnel, revenue officials and Forensic Science Laboratory experts exhumed the body of Mahetru Sahu — the most recent victim — for post-mortem and toxicology tests. The remains were sent to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital in Raipur.

On Tuesday, six more bodies were exhumed using JCB machines for forensic examination. Seven of the eight deceased had been buried according to Kabir Panthi customs.

SDOP Kasdol Kaushal Kishore Wasnik confirmed that statements from 20 villagers, including relatives of the deceased, have been recorded. "Postmortems have been conducted on the bodies of the seven deceased, and forensic examinations are underway. We are now conducting a detailed investigation, taking all aspects into account".

Jaiswal had initially denied the allegations during questioning, but reportedly confessed after two days of sustained interrogation. He was formally arrested on Saturday. Police are expected to hold a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to reveal further details of the conspiracy.

Community in Shock

The small village of Kharve, with its tight-knit agrarian community, has been gripped by fear and grief. Villagers performed a peace prayer after the deaths and have been demanding justice.

One survivor reportedly fell ill after consuming liquor from Jaiswal but recovered after hospital treatment. This incident prompted the community to approach the Kasdol police station with a written complaint.

A witness, Umesh Navrange, told police that Jaiswal had once told him: "I have bought borax and warned you not to tell anyone. At that time, I didn't understand his words". Navrange said the shopkeeper constantly asked him to kill several villagers, offering money in exchange.

Police officials have confirmed that further legal action will depend on the post-mortem and toxicology reports. The investigation is ongoing.

A viral video has exposed a branch manager of the District Cooperative Central Bank allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from a widow seeking to withdraw money from her deceased husband's account, prompting an administrative inquiry in Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar district.

Widow Forced to Pay Rs 5,000

The complainant, Khelan Bai Satnami, a resident of Nipania village, told officials that her husband Roopdas Satnami died around a year ago, leaving behind a bank account with approximately Rs 1.10 lakh at the Nipania branch of the cooperative bank. When she approached the branch to complete the withdrawal formalities, branch manager Anita Pandey allegedly demanded Rs 10,000 to process the paperwork. The amount was later negotiated down to Rs 5,000, which the widow paid.

Villager Films Transaction

A villager who had accompanied the woman to the bank recorded the exchange on video and shared it widely on social media. The clip reportedly shows the manager questioning the woman about her late husband, getting documents signed, and later telling the woman's son to hurry with the withdrawal. When asked how much money was involved, the son replied Rs 5,000, after which the manager is heard telling the family to come to her directly with any future issues.

Complaint Filed With Collector

Following the incident, Khelan Bai approached the Balodabazar Collector during the public grievance hearing (Jan Darshan) and lodged a formal complaint against the bank official. She submitted the video evidence to the administration and demanded an inquiry, along with registration of an FIR and action against the manager.

MLA Raises Questions Over Conduct

Bhatapara MLA Indra Sao also questioned the manager's conduct, saying multiple complaints against her had surfaced even during her earlier postings. According to the MLA, farmers in Nipania have also been troubled by her working style. He alleged that around a year ago, when he had raised similar concerns over the phone, the officer responded dismissively before disconnecting the call, asserting she would do as she pleased. He added that such complaints reflect poorly on his constituency and that some villagers have alleged bribes are routinely sought for routine banking work.

Administration Orders Probe

According to officials, Balodabazar Collector Kuldeep Sharma has directed the nodal officer of the concerned department to investigate the matter following the complaint. Authorities confirmed that action would depend on the findings of the inquiry.

Background of the Bank

Anita Pandey serves as the branch manager of the District Cooperative Central Bank's Nipania branch in Balodabazar district. The incident has drawn renewed attention to allegations of corruption in cooperative banking institutions across rural Chhattisgarh, where residents have previously raised concerns about being asked for bribes for routine services such as fund withdrawals and land-related paperwork.

What Happens Next

With the video evidence now submitted to district authorities, the inquiry is expected to determine the validity of the allegations against the manager. Local sources said further action, including possible disciplinary proceedings, would depend on the outcome of the administrative probe ordered by the Collector.

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.

Balodabazar, Chhattisgarh: Nine men released on bail just hours earlier turned a quiet evening in Balodabazar into a scene of chaos on June 5 night, taking out a noisy vehicle rally with dangerous stunts and public nuisance. Police swiftly cracked down, rearresting all of them for the fresh violations.

The incident occurred in the Bhatapar city police station area, particularly around Kalyan Sagar Ward’s Talab Par Road. Around 10 pm, a convoy of cars and motorcycles moved through the locality as the newly released men celebrated their freedom in a manner that quickly drew public attention and complaints.

Reckless Stunts and Public Nuisance

Eyewitnesses and circulating videos showed several of the accused hanging out of moving car windows, performing risky stunts while filming reels. Garlands were placed on some individuals amid loud celebrations that included fireworks. Local residents alleged misbehaviour with passersby, creating an atmosphere of fear and disturbance in the residential area.

The group reportedly posted videos of the rally on social media, which further escalated the matter. Police acted promptly upon receiving information, cordoning off the area and detaining all nine individuals on the spot.

The Accused and Previous Cases

The arrested persons have been identified as:

- Aditya Sahu (22)

- Sagar Dhiwar (27)

- Manish Dhritlahre alias Surya (21)

- Wasim Ali (20)

- Santosh alias Chhotu Manhare (25)

- Sagar Yadav (24)

- Ashish Dhruv (21)

- Hemant Bhat (20)

- Om Dhruv (20)

They were earlier booked under various sections for assault, hooliganism, disturbing public peace, criminal conspiracy, and acting in common intention. Different courts had granted them bail at different times, leading to their release on the night of June 5.

Police Crackdown and Official Stand

Balodabazar police registered a fresh case against them under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 170, 126, and 135(3). All nine were produced before the court and sent back to judicial custody.

Speaking on the incident, Superintendent of Police OP Sharma strongly condemned the act. “Bail does not mean a free pass for hooliganism,” he said. He added that such actions are not achievements but invitations for stricter punishment. The police have adopted a zero-tolerance policy against those who try to spread fear through rallies or display dominance on social media.

Background and Local Reactions

Balodabazar, like several other districts in Chhattisgarh, has been witnessing occasional instances of youth indulging in showy, law-defying behaviour after legal relief. Residents in the affected mohalla expressed anger over the disturbance late at night, especially when families were at home. Many questioned how individuals with pending cases could so quickly resume activities that intimidate ordinary citizens.

This episode has once again highlighted concerns over the misuse of bail provisions and the need for stricter monitoring of repeat offenders involved in public order violations.

Similar Incidents and Broader Concern

The Balodabazar incident comes close on the heels of other reported cases in the state, including a recent stunt in Bilaspur where a young woman was seen dancing atop a moving BMW through its sunroof. Such visuals often go viral, raising questions about road safety, law enforcement response, and the influence of social media on reckless behaviour.

Local authorities have assured that investigations will examine if there was any larger coordination behind the rally and whether additional charges are warranted. Police teams are also reviewing social media posts for evidence.

As of now, the nine accused remain in custody. The case is likely to serve as a deterrent in the district, with officials emphasising that freedom on bail comes with the responsibility of maintaining peace and respecting the law.

The development has sparked discussions on social media and among local communities about balancing individual legal rights with public safety. Authorities say further action will depend on the court proceedings and any additional complaints received from affected residents.

Pregnant Woman Dies in Quack Doctor’s Clinic in Balodabazar

A pregnant woman has died under suspicious circumstances in a quack doctor’s clinic in Balodabazar district, Chhattisgarh, triggering anger and fresh debate over unqualified medical practice in rural areas. The woman, identified as Indu Sahu (26), was four months pregnant and had gone to the clinic of a self‑styled doctor who has no medical degree for treatment of cold and cough.

In the latest update, locals and health officials have raised serious concerns over the lack of medical infrastructure and the unchecked practice of unqualified or “zhola‑chhap” doctors in palli‑level healthcare. With no formal complaint filed yet and the body already cremated, the case is now being treated as a medical negligence probe

Who Was Indu Sahu and What Happened?

Indu Sahu was married to Ajay Sahu in 2022 and had a two‑year‑old son. This was her second pregnancy, and she was around four months’ gestation when she visited the clinic of Jayant Sahu, a village quack in Chherkadih Jara village, who also serves as the sarpanch of the same village.

According to family members, on Thursday, Indu first went to the clinic by foot because of a common cold and cough. The doctor was not present, so she returned home. Later, when she was told Jayant had returned, she again went to his clinic

Symptoms After Injection and Sudden Collapse

Jayant Sahu later claimed that Indu had cold, cough, and chest pain, and that her blood pressure was checked. However, he said he could not do “much treatment” because she had not eaten. She stayed at the clinic for about 15–20 minutes.

Within that short period, her condition worsened suddenly. She began vomiting and lost consciousness. Jayant told reporters that he gave her water, and she briefly regained consciousness, but she fell unconscious again. At that point, he allegedly sent her to the Community Health Centre (CHC) Palaria, located in the same block.

Doctor Admits No Medical Degree

Crucially, Jayant Sahu has publicly admitted that he does not hold any medical degree and has been treating people for around 17 years without formal qualification. This has intensified public outrage, with local people branding him as a “zhola‑chhap doctor” who is running a parallel clinic in a village that should ideally have access to qualified primary‑health staff.

Residents quoted by local media say villagers often turn to such quacks because of the shortage of MBBS doctors, long distances to CHCs, and lack of trust in rural dispensaries—a pattern seen repeatedly in Chhattisgarh and other states.

Condition at Palaria CHC and Cause of Death

When Indu’s body was brought to Palaria CHC, BMO (Chief Medical Officer) Dr. Pankaj Verma examined the case and stated that she had already died before reaching the hospital. He reported that blood and froth were coming from her nose, a sign of a severe acute medical event.

The BMO also confirmed that Jayant Sahu was present among the group that brought the body to the centre. However, no formal forensic or chemical‑toxicology examination was conducted, because the family later refused to allow a postmortem.

No Postmortem, Cremation Done

Hospital officials at Palaria CHC said the body arrived around 2 pm on Thursday, and the relatives stayed at the hospital for about four hours, discussing the situation. Around 6 pm, the family submitted a written application refusing postmortem, after which the body was handed over to them.

The family then took the body home and performed the last rites on the same day, cremating Indu without any autopsy or police complaint. To date, no FIR has been registered at Palaria police station, and therefore no formal investigation has started.​

Family and Local Reactions

Indu’s mother‑in‑law, Kanti Sahu, said that when her daughter‑in‑law did not return home for a long time, she went to the doctor’s clinic and found Indu lying unconscious on her husband’s lap. She described the scene as shocking and terrifying, and alleged that the quack’s treatment had directly led to the death.

Some local eyewitnesses claimed that Indu started vomiting and collapsed immediately after being given an injection. However, no one has been willing to speak officially on camera or in writing, creating a wall of silence around the incident.

Wider Concern: Quack Doctor Deaths in Chhattisgarh

This case is not isolated. In recent years, Chhattisgarh has seen multiple deaths linked to unqualified doctors. For example, in Balod district, a young man died after a quack injected nine syringes in his private area to treat haemorrhoids, resulting in severe bleeding and infection.

In another case, a “bangali” quack in Janjgir‑Champa was sentenced to seven years in jail after a pregnant woman died following a wrong injection allegedly given without proper training. These cases together highlight how pregnant women and young patients are at extreme risk when unlicensed practitioners operate freely in villages.

Why This Case Matters Now

Several factors make this Balodabazar incident especially relevant right now:

• Rising rural healthcare gaps: Despite government schemes, staff‑shortage and over‑reliance on quacks remain persistent in Chhattisgarh’s villages.
  
  

• Weak enforcement of medical norms: Many “clinics” are run by non‑degree holders, and local authorities often act only after a death, instead of preventive action.
  
  

• Public trust crisis: When a sarpanch himself runs a quack clinic, villagers feel they have no safe alternative, even though it puts lives at risk.
  
  

What Steps Are Needed?

Experts and local activists suggest:

• Immediate registration of FIR and a magisterial inquiry into Indu Sahu’s death, including analysis of all drugs and injections allegedly administered.
  
  

• Systematic crackdown on unregistered clinics in Balodabazar and other districts, with named blacklisting of repeat‑offender quacks.
  
  

• Fortification of CHCs and PHCs with on‑duty MBBS doctors, tele‑medicine links, and awareness drives on the dangers of quack treatment.
  
  

Final Takeaway

The death of a pregnant woman in a quack doctor’s clinic in Balodabazar is a grim reminder that rural healthcare in Chhattisgarh remains fragile and vulnerable. Until authorities treat unlicensed medical practice as a serious crime and strengthen primary‑health access, such suspicious deaths are likely to keep repeating across villages