Congress Leader - Dainik Jagran English

Chhattisgarh Congress Leader Son Murder Case

Abhishek Joshi — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:56:51 +0530

Congress Leader’s Son Shot Dead In Janjgir Home Invasion

Three Masked Men Attack Family

Three masked assailants stormed the residence of a former block Congress vice-president in Chhattisgarh’s Janjgir-Champa district late Thursday night. The attackers shot dead the leader’s 19-year-old son and critically injured his younger sibling.

The incident occurred around 12:30 am in Karhi village under the Birra police station limits. Police said the assailants entered the house and opened fire indiscriminately. The victim, Ayush Kashyap, suffered bullet wounds to the head and chest and died on the spot. His 16-year-old brother Ashutosh remains critical.

Parents Locked In Separate Room

According to preliminary investigation, the three masked men first locked the parents inside a room. They then targeted the children sleeping in another room. Ayush, a second-year BA LLB student, was hit twice. Ashutosh, a Class 10 student, sustained a bullet injury on his shoulder.

Cash And iPhone Stolen

Police sources indicated that the attackers fled with around Rs 60 in cash and an iPhone. The family has three children. Their daughter Prerna Kashyap, a BPM officer posted in Jagdalpur, was also home on leave during the attack. She witnessed the shooting.

Sister Recounts Earlier Visit

Prerna told police that three young men had come to their house a week ago asking about Ayush. She added that all three attackers wore masks during Thursday night’s assault. The family said the assailants also took three mobile phones before escaping.

Father Alleges Sand Trade Rivalry

The victim’s father, Sammlal Kashyap, alleged that the murder stemmed from a sand mining business dispute. “Ayush had recently purchased a hyva truck and a JCB. He had become active in the trade. That is the only reason someone would want him dead,” Kashyap told police.

Local Congress leaders, including MLA Vyas Kashyap and Jaijaipur MLA Baleshwar Sahu, visited the crime scene late Thursday night.

Police Launch Massive Manhunt

Acting Superintendent of Police Nivedita Paul and Additional SP Umesh Kashyap reached the spot along with cyber and forensic teams. Officials confirmed that the attackers used motorcycles. Police have set up barricades across the town and are scanning CCTV footage from nearby areas.

“We are also analysing call detail records to identify the suspects,” an officer said. The body has been sent for post-mortem. The younger brother continues to receive treatment at the district hospital.

What Next

Authorities have formed multiple teams to track down the three masked assailants. Investigators are examining whether a recent land dispute or sand mining rivalry motivated the attack. Police expect to make arrests within 48 hours based on technical surveillance leads.

Bina MLA Nirmala Sapre Claims Loyalty to Congress Amid Defection Row

Abhishek Joshi — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:38:12 +0530

Bina MLA Nirmala Sapre Claims Loyalty to Congress Amid Defection Row

Court Seeks BJP Switch Proof

Bina MLA Nirmala Sapre asserted in the Madhya Pradesh High Court that she remains loyal to Congress, even as Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar pressed for evidence of her alleged BJP defection. The court recorded her statement and directed Singhar to submit party whip copies by April 9. Next hearing fixes for April 20.

Singhar Files Termination Petition

Singhar, a senior Congress leader, petitioned the High Court in November 2024 to disqualify Sapre under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution. He claims her membership ended automatically upon switching parties. The move follows her no-show on a Congress whip during key votes.

Sapre Attends BJP Event

Sapre won the Bina seat in Sagar district on a Congress ticket in 2023. Tensions peaked on May 5, 2024, when she joined a BJP rally with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav amid Lok Sabha polls. Social media posts of her with BJP leaders soon went viral, fuelling defection charges.

High Court Division Bench Hears Case

A Division Bench led by Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf heard arguments on Tuesday. Sapre's counsel Sanjay Agarwal insisted no party switch occurred. Advocate General Prashant Singh noted the matter pends before the Assembly Speaker, with her statements already recorded.

Whip Copies as Key Evidence

Singhar's advocate Vibhor Khandelwal, appearing via video, promised party whip evidence by April 9. Viral images show Sapre alongside Yadav, but the court cautioned against relying solely on social media. "Present solid proof before the Speaker," the bench directed.

Background of Defection Dispute

Singhar first approached Speaker Raman Singh on July 5, 2024, citing anti-defection law violations. With no decision after months, he escalated to court. Officials indicate Sapre skipped Congress directives, raising questions over her allegiance in the opposition camp.

Assembly Speaker Hearing Looms

A parallel hearing awaits before the Speaker on April 20, aligning with the High Court's schedule. Sources say Singhar's evidence could sway proceedings. Sapre maintains her Congress ties, denying any formal BJP entry.

Political Fallout in Madhya Pradesh

The row exposes rifts in state politics, testing anti-defection norms post-2023 polls. Congress accuses BJP of poaching, while ruling side calls it internal discord. Public eyes the outcome amid ongoing National and International News on similar cases.

Future Course of Action

Singhar must file whip documents soon. Courts stress authentic evidence over online buzz. This Bina MLA defection saga could redefine loyalty tests in Madhya Pradesh assembly, with implications for India News Update on political stability.

Sonia Gandhi Admitted to Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi

Abhishek Joshi — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:16:25 +0530

Sonia Gandhi Admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi

Sonia Gandhi hospital admission at the capital’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital has once again drawn attention, with sources confirming the senior Congress leader is undergoing treatment and her condition is being closely monitored.

Hospital Admission Confirmed

Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sonia Gandhi was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital late Tuesday night. Hospital sources said she reached the facility after experiencing discomfort and is now under the care of a team of doctors.

Condition Being Monitored

According to sources, her vital parameters are stable and being watched round the clock. No official bulletin has been released yet, but insiders indicated routine tests and supportive care are underway.

Second Admission This Year

This marks the second time Sonia Gandhi has been hospitalised at the same facility in 2026. The latest development comes barely two months after her previous stay in January.

Respiratory Issues Recalled

In January, she was admitted following respiratory discomfort. Hospital chairman Dr Ajay Swaroop had then stated that her bronchial asthma had been mildly exacerbated by Delhi’s cold weather and high pollution levels. She was kept under observation and given antibiotics along with other supportive medication.

Official Statement from January

Dr Swaroop had described her condition at the time as “absolutely stable”. “She was experiencing respiratory discomfort, and upon medical examination, it was found that her bronchial asthma had been mildly exacerbated due to the combined effects of cold weather and pollution. As a precautionary measure, she was admitted for further observation and treatment,” he said in an official statement.

Treatment Details Awaited

While specific reasons for the current admission have not been disclosed, sources indicated that doctors are following a similar cautious approach. The 79-year-old leader continues to receive round-the-clock attention at one of Delhi’s leading private hospitals.

Outlook Remains Cautious

Congress workers and supporters across the country are keeping a close watch on updates. Party leaders have so far refrained from detailed comments, awaiting an official word from the hospital. In the latest news today from the national capital, this Sonia Gandhi hospital admission has emerged as a key India news update, highlighting the health challenges faced by senior public figures amid seasonal weather shifts and pollution concerns.

The development has triggered quiet concern within political circles, though no major disruption to party activities has been reported so far. Medical experts often note that patients with chronic respiratory conditions require prompt intervention in Delhi’s winter-to-spring transition period, when pollution spikes remain common.

As per reports, Sonia Gandhi is responding to treatment and her condition is being reviewed regularly. The hospital is expected to share more details once a full assessment is complete. For now, the focus remains on ensuring her full recovery while she receives the best possible care.

Gwalior Honey Trap Case: Family Gang Lures Indore Businessman, Robs Gold Worth Rs 12 Lakh — Congress Leader's Kin Among 4 Arrested

Nitin Trivedi — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:43:43 +0530

A meticulously planned honey trap operation in Gwalior has ended in four arrests — including a woman linked to the Congress party and her immediate family — after an Indore-based businessman was lured into a house, blackmailed on video, and robbed of gold jewellery worth Rs 12 lakh. The case has sent shockwaves through MP's political and law enforcement circles, once again putting Gwalior's crime landscape under an uncomfortable spotlight.

How the Trap Was Set — A Calculated Operation

The victim, Bharat Bhutani, is an auto parts trader from Kota who had come to Gwalior to take part in a Ramleela performance. During this time, he became friends with Reeta Arya — a friendship reportedly arranged by Reeta's friend Neha, who lives in Indore. Press Information Bureau

What followed was not a crime of impulse. It was a pre-planned operation. Bhutani was called to a house at I-82 in the Gandhi Nagar area. When he reached the house, Reeta Arya and her daughter Nidhi welcomed him like a guest. After some time, Reeta took him inside a room — at which point Rajendra Bundela and Vishal Arya, who were hiding in the kitchen, entered with their faces covered. They began recording a video on their mobile phone, accused Bhutani of wrongdoing, threatened to send him to jail, and then snatched his gold ring, bracelet, and gold chain. Press Information Bureau

The classic honey trap playbook — build trust, create a compromising situation, threaten exposure, rob the victim — was executed with rehearsed precision by what appears to be a family criminal unit.

The Political Twist — A Congress Leader at the Centre

Police arrested four accused in this case: Congress-linked woman leader Rita Arya, her husband Rajendra Bundela, her daughter Nidhi Arya, and her son-in-law Vishal Arya. All four were nabbed from the Kach Mill area of Gwalior. Wikipedia

The political angle immediately elevated this from a routine crime case to a headline story. Rita Arya's connection to Congress — even if at a local level — has handed the BJP a ready-made political narrative, while the opposition has so far stayed silent. What is undeniable, regardless of political affiliation, is that an entire family unit — father, daughter, son-in-law, and the woman herself — was actively involved in a coordinated criminal enterprise targeting an out-of-town businessman who came to Gwalior in good faith.

Why Gwalior's Honey Trap Problem Is Bigger Than One Case

This is not an isolated incident. Madhya Pradesh has a documented and deeply troubling history with organised honey trap crime. The 2019 Indore honey trap case — which ensnared senior bureaucrats and politicians — exposed how sophisticated and well-networked these operations can become. Since then, cases have continued to surface across Gwalior, Indore, Bhopal, and smaller districts.

Gwalior in particular has seen a pattern of honey trap cases targeting businessmen and professionals visiting the city — people who are unfamiliar with local networks, staying alone, and therefore easier to isolate and trap. The Bhutani case follows this exact pattern: an out-of-town visitor, a pre-arranged introduction through a mutual contact in Indore, a house in a residential colony, and a family gang waiting inside.

The Indore Connection — An Organised Network?

One detail in this case demands closer scrutiny: the initial friendship between the victim and Rita Arya was arranged by Reeta's friend Neha, who lives in Indore. Press Information Bureau This means the operation had a sourcing arm in Indore identifying potential targets and a execution arm in Gwalior carrying out the robbery. That is not a family squabble — that is an organised criminal network with geographic spread.

Gwalior Police must examine whether this gang was operating across multiple cities, whether there are other victims who have not come forward out of fear or embarrassment, and whether Neha in Indore has links to other such networks.

The Silence of Victims — The Biggest Challenge for Police

Honey trap cases are notoriously under-reported. The nature of the crime — which exploits the victim's fear of social and reputational damage — means that for every case that reaches a police station, many more are quietly buried. Bharat Bhutani came forward. Many do not.

This silence is what makes organised honey trap gangs so emboldened and long-lived. They bank on the victim's shame. Police and the state government must create a safer and more confidential reporting mechanism for such crimes — including dedicated cyber cells that can receive complaints anonymously and act swiftly.

Opinion: When Families Run Crime Together, the System Must Respond Harder

There is something particularly chilling about a case where a mother, her daughter, and her son-in-law operate as a coordinated robbery unit while the husband plays enforcer. This is not petty crime. This is a family that sat down and planned how to trap, blackmail, and rob a stranger for gold.

Gwalior Police deserves credit for the swift arrests. But the investigation must go beyond the four people in custody. The Indore connection must be traced. The victim's full account of gold and cash stolen — reported at Rs 12 lakh — must be recovered. And fast-track prosecution must ensure this case does not drag through the courts for years while the accused walk on bail.

MP has zero tolerance for honey trap crime — or so successive governments have claimed. It is time for that claim to be backed by convictions, not just arrests.

Key Takeaways:

A Gwalior honey trap gang — comprising a Congress-linked woman leader and her husband, daughter, and son-in-law — robbed a Kota businessman of gold worth Rs 12 lakh
The victim was lured through a pre-arranged contact in Indore, suggesting an organised multi-city network
All four accused were arrested from Gwalior's Kach Mill area; investigation is ongoing
The case revives concerns about MP's persistent honey trap crime problem, which dates back to the high-profile 2019 Indore case
Police must investigate the Indore connection and check for other unreported victims