IN one of the most horrifying incidents to rock Chhattisgarh in recent times, four members of a family, including an elderly couple and their two minor grandchildren, were brutally murdered while asleep inside their under-construction house in Janjgir-Champa district, triggering shock, fear and outrage across the region. The gruesome quadruple murder took place in Bhavantra village under Sheorinarayan police station limits on Wednesday night, where assailants allegedly smashed the victims’ heads with a heavy iron weapon before fleeing the spot. The chilling crime came to light on Thursday morning when a mason arrived at the house for construction work and found all four victims lying motionless on their cots in pools of blood. Within minutes, panic spread through the village as residents rushed to the scene after hearing about the brutal killings. The incident has sent shockwaves across the district, with villagers describing the murders as unprecedented and terrifying. The deceased have been identified as Medni Prasad Kashyap (65), his wife Shanti Bai (62), grandson Pitambar Kashyap (17), and granddaughter Mogra (13). According to preliminary findings, all four sustained fatal head injuries inflicted with a blunt iron object. Police suspect the victims were attacked in their sleep and had little or no opportunity to resist the assailants. Soon after receiving information, Sheorinarayan police rushed to the village and cordoned off the entire crime scene.

 

Senior police officers, including Janjgir-Champa in-charge Superintendent of Police Nivedita Pal and Additional SP Umesh Kashyap, reached the spot to supervise the investigation. Dog squad and forensic teams were also pressed into service to collect evidence and reconstruct the sequence of events surrounding the massacre. Investigators questioned family members, neighbours and villagers as police tried to establish the motive behind the killings. Initial inputs suggest the case may be linked to an ongoing land dispute and matters related to the construction of the new house. Villagers claimed tensions over property issues had existed for some time, and police are now examining whether the murders were the result of a deep-rooted rivalry. It also emerged that one of Medni Prasad Kashyap’s sons was allegedly murdered around 16 to 17 years ago. This revelation has prompted investigators to probe the possibility of an old family feud or long-standing enmity resurfacing in a violent manner.

 

Police officials stated that every angle, including personal rivalry, property dispute and past criminal history, is being thoroughly investigated. The police and cyber team while examining technical and physical evidence questioned Sonasai Kashyap, son of the deceased Medniram Kashyap, along with his son Golu Kashyap. After intensive interrogation, both allegedly confessed to committing the murders over a family land dispute. Police further revealed that accused Sonasai Kashyap had previously been convicted in 2009 for the murder of his younger brother Punau Ram and had served a life sentence. He was released from jail approximately two years ago. Since his release, he had reportedly been involved in ongoing disputes with his father over property matters. Earlier, preventive action had also been taken against the accused based on a complaint filed by the deceased. Police have arrested both the father and son, and further legal proceedings are under way.