Chhattisgarh govt recommends CBI probe into triple murder linked to sand mining rivalry

Raipur, Jun 30 (PTI) The Chhattisgarh government on Tuesday granted consent for a CBI probe into the brutal murder of three people, including a businessman, in Korea district, where a rivalry between two families over sand mining business turned deadly in mid-June, officials said. The state home department issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday. The case pertains to the killings of businessman Bharat Singh (aged around 60), Virendra Pratap Singh (32) and Nagendra Singh (53) near Katgodi village in Korea district. Two others were seriously injured in the incident. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who also holds the Home portfolio, said the decision to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was taken after detailed discussions. The decision was made about a week ago, but the process took some time. The chief minister took the final call, he told reporters here late this evening. "The case has been entrusted to the CBI to investigate the reasons behind this heinous murder, the circumstances that led to it, and whether there is any link between the two cases. We have already sent the proposal, but the CBI is yet to formally accept it and initiate further action," Sharma said. He said there are two eyewitnesses, who were injured and hospitalised, in the case and adequate security arrangements have been made for both of them. "The statement of one eyewitness has already been recorded as his condition was stable. The other injured witness is also out of danger, and his statement will be recorded following doctor's advice that he is fit to do so," he added. According to police, the violence stemmed from a long-standing rivalry between Singh and Tripathi families over sand mining operations. Both families hail from Nagoi village near Katgodi. While the Singh family now resides in Baikunthpur, it continues to operate sand mining and stone-crushing businesses in the area. Police had said tensions escalated following a dispute between members of the two families on June 16. On the same night, Bharat Singh and his associates went to meet members of the rival group after a phone conversation, following which the confrontation turned violent. The victims were travelling in two vehicles, including an SUV, when they were allegedly ambushed by members of the rival group. The attackers repeatedly rammed the SUV with a light tipper truck, damaging the vehicle and jamming its doors, preventing the occupants from escaping. The assailants poured fuel on the SUV before setting it ablaze. Those who attempted to escape by breaking the vehicle's windows were allegedly attacked with sharp-edged weapons. Bharat Singh was charred to death at the spot, while Nagendra Singh and Virendra Pratap Singh succumbed later. Police had arrested four members of the rival Tripathi family in connection with the killings. A second case, also transferred to the CBI, relates to the scuffle between the two families that allegedly triggered the chain of events leading to the triple murder. The victims' family had been demanding a CBI investigation into the murder case. The twin cases were registered at the Sonhat Police Station in Korea district under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). PTI TKP RSY NP