THE Chhattisgarh Government on Tuesday formally recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the sensational Naugi triple murder case in Koriya district, accepting the long-standing demand of the victims’ family for an independent investigation. The Home Department issued a notification under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, granting consent for extension of the powers and jurisdiction of the Delhi Special Police Establishment across the State for investigation of Crime No 65/2026 and Crime No 66/2026 registered at Sonhat Police Station in Koriya district. The notification, issued from Mahanadi Bhawan, Nava Raipur, stated that the consent has been accorded for investigation of offences registered under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), thereby enabling the CBI to take over the probe. The case relates to the brutal killing of three members of a family, Bharat Singh, Nagendra Singh and Virendra Singh, who were allegedly run over by a tractor on the night of June 16. The victims’ family has consistently alleged the involvement of the sand mafia and had been demanding a CBI investigation since the incident.

 

Coincidentally, the State Government’s decision came on the day the family observed the terahvi ceremony of the deceased. Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma spoke with the bereaved family and assured them that their demand would be considered sympathetically. With the latest decision, the Naugi triple murder becomes the second major case in which the Vishnu Deo Sai Government has recommended a CBI investigation since assuming office in December 2023. Earlier, the State Government had handed over the alleged Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (PSC) recruitment scam to the premier central investigating agency. The Home Department’s notification has been forwarded to the Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, the Director, CBI, the Director General of Police, Chhattisgarh, the Inspector General of Police, Surguja Range, and the CBI’s Raipur Branch for necessary action. “The CBI is now expected to complete procedural formalities before taking over the investigation from the State Police,” said a top brass of Chhattisgarh Police, privy to the case.