Balodabazar-Bhatapara, Chhattisgarh |
The Balodabazar-Bhatapara Police have achieved a major breakthrough in a sensational blind murder case, arresting five accused and taking two juveniles into custody in connection with the brutal killing of a 20-year-old man. The murder, allegedly motivated by rivalry and revenge linked to the illegal cannabis trade, was carried out as a contract killing, according to the police investigation.
The victim’s body was discovered in a completely naked condition in a secluded forest area between Murumdih and Raytum villages, under the jurisdiction of Baya Police Outpost in Rajadevari Police Station limits, on October 31, 2026. The case posed a significant challenge for investigators because the deceased had no apparent connection with the district where his body was found.
Through an extensive investigation involving more than 1,000 CCTV cameras, artificial intelligence (AI) technology, forensic evidence and inter-district police coordination, investigators eventually identified the victim and uncovered an alleged criminal network operating across several locations in Chhattisgarh and neighbouring Odisha.
Discovery of the Body and Registration of the Case
On October 31, 2026, police received information about an unidentified male body lying along a deserted forest route between Murumdih and Raytum villages in the Baya outpost area.
The deceased was estimated to be between 20 and 25 years old. His body was found completely naked, with multiple deep injuries to his chest and other parts of the body, apparently inflicted with a sharp-edged weapon.
Investigators also noticed distinctive tattoos on the victim’s chest, including the English letters “KP,” along with other tattoos on his hands.
Preliminary examination indicated that the man had been brutally murdered with a knife. Consequently, a criminal case was registered at Baya Police Outpost, under Rajadevari Police Station, as Crime No. 101/2026, under Sections 103(1), 238(a), 61(2) and 249 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.
Recognising the seriousness of the incident, Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai ordered the formation of a special investigation team.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Additional Superintendent of Police Khoman Sinha, with Deputy Superintendent of Police (Camp Kasdol) Kaushal Kishore Wasnik leading the investigation team.
Cannabis Trade Rivalry and Revenge Behind the Murder
During the investigation and interrogation of the accused, police uncovered an alleged motive rooted in longstanding rivalry within the illegal cannabis trade.
According to the police, the victim, Karan Dongre alias KP, and the accused were allegedly connected with the illegal narcotics business. Disputes over influence, control and dominance in the trade had reportedly created serious hostility between the groups.
Police further stated that the accused Amarjeet Singh Soni allegedly planned the murder of Karan Dongre to avenge the killing of his son, Shiva, who had reportedly been murdered in October 2026.
Investigators believe that Amarjeet allegedly arranged the killing by assigning the task to other accused persons in exchange for a contract or payment.
The murder was allegedly planned as an act of retaliation arising from previous disputes and criminal rivalry.
How the Murder Was Executed
According to the investigation, one of the accused was previously acquainted with the victim. This familiarity was allegedly used to lure Karan Dongre into the trap.
The accused reportedly offered him an opportunity to work in the Mahasamund region, convincing him to travel with them.
As part of the alleged plan, the victim was picked up from the Sambalpur region in Odisha in a KIA car. Meanwhile, another group travelled in a Maruti WagonR, following and monitoring the movement of the first vehicle.
The two vehicles reportedly coordinated their movements and met in the Patewa area.
After the vehicles converged, the victim was taken towards an isolated forest route within the Baya Police Outpost jurisdiction.
There, the accused allegedly attacked him repeatedly with a sharp-edged knife, inflicting multiple fatal injuries to his chest and body.
After the murder, the perpetrators allegedly removed all the victim’s clothes and abandoned his naked body in the forest in an attempt to conceal his identity and destroy evidence.
The investigators believe that the deliberate removal of clothing was part of an attempt to make identification more difficult and mislead the police.
AI Technology and Analysis of More Than 1,000 CCTV Cameras
One of the most significant aspects of the investigation was the extensive use of modern technology.
With no immediate identification of the deceased and limited direct evidence, investigators had to reconstruct the movements of the suspects and vehicles across multiple districts.
Police examined footage from more than 1,000 CCTV cameras installed at different locations, including:
- Baya and surrounding forest routes.
- Patewa and nearby areas.
- New Raipur and internal city roads.
- Saraipali and adjoining highway routes.
- Raipur-Durg National Highway.
- Toll plazas and other important road junctions.
Investigators reportedly used AI-based analytical tools to compare vehicle movements, travel timings and suspicious movement patterns.
This technological analysis helped establish the movement of the two suspected vehicles — the KIA car and the WagonR — during the period surrounding the murder.
Four Major Breakthroughs in the Investigation
1. Extensive CCTV Surveillance
Footage from more than 1,000 cameras was carefully examined to reconstruct the route taken by the suspected vehicles before and after the crime.
2. Artificial Intelligence Analysis
AI tools were reportedly used to analyse vehicle movements, timings and patterns, helping investigators identify and connect the two vehicles involved in the alleged operation.
3. Forensic Examination
Tyre marks recovered from the crime scene provided important forensic clues, indicating the involvement of two separate four-wheeled vehicles.
4. Identification Through Digital Footprints
Digital footprints and coordination with police units in other districts helped investigators identify the deceased as Karan Dongre alias KP, aged 20.
Accused Attempted to Mislead Investigators
Police also uncovered an alleged attempt by the accused to confuse investigators after committing the murder.
According to the investigation, the WagonR was deliberately driven through various internal roads in Raipur and New Raipur, apparently to complicate the reconstruction of its movements.
Meanwhile, the KIA travelled from Patewa towards Sambalpur via the National Highway.
Investigators tracked these separate movements through CCTV footage and technical analysis, eventually connecting both vehicles to the crime.
The movement of the KIA car proved particularly important in identifying the first accused.
Inter-District Police Coordination Leads to Arrests
Following the identification and questioning of the first accused, investigators obtained information that other suspects were hiding in a sensitive locality of Durg city.
The Balodabazar-Bhatapara Police team subsequently coordinated with the Durg Police and conducted a targeted operation.
After camping in Durg and conducting surveillance, the police carried out raids and surrounded the suspected locations.
The operation resulted in the arrest of five adult accused, while two juveniles in conflict with the law were also taken into custody in accordance with legal procedures.
The investigation reportedly covered a wide geographical network stretching from Sambalpur and Baya to Patewa, Raipur and Durg-Bhilai.
Names of the Five Arrested Accused
Police have identified the following five adult accused in the case:
1. Mohammad Anas Ashrafi (22)
Son of Mohammad Habib, resident of opposite Mowa Eidgah, Pandri Police Station area, Raipur district.
2. Syed Altaf Ali alias Farzan (24)
Son of Syed Sabir Ali, resident near Eidgah Talab, Mowa, under Pandri Police Station, Raipur district.
3. Raj Yadav alias Sai (18)
Son of Kamlesh, resident of Ward No. 16, Karmachari Nagar, Mohan Nagar Police Station area, Durg district.
4. Rahul Das Manikpuri (19)
Son of late Virendra Das, resident of Ward No. 58, Urla Bombay Awas, Mohan Nagar Police Station area, Durg district.
5. Amarjeet Singh Soni (47)
Son of Amrit Singh, resident of Ward No. 58, Urla Bombay Awas, Mohan Nagar Police Station area, Durg district.
In addition to these five arrests, two juveniles in conflict with the law have also been taken into custody in connection with the case.
Weapons and Vehicles Seized
During the investigation, police recovered and seized several items allegedly connected with the murder.
The seized articles include:
- One sharp-edged knife allegedly used in the murder.
- Maruti WagonR car, registration number CG 07 CE 3638.
- KIA car, registration number CG 04 QB 5060.
- One scooter allegedly used in connection with the incident.
These recoveries are expected to play an important role in establishing the sequence of events and examining the involvement of the accused.
Accused Have Previous Criminal Records
According to the police, some of the accused have previously been involved in serious criminal activities, including cases related to murder and illegal narcotics trafficking.
Their alleged involvement in the illegal cannabis trade and previous criminal disputes is also being examined as part of the wider investigation.
Police are investigating the individual roles of all the accused, the alleged contract arrangement, the financial aspects of the conspiracy and the circumstances surrounding the earlier murder of Shiva.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Following their arrest, the five adult accused are being presented before the competent court for further legal proceedings.
The two juveniles in conflict with the law are being produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) in accordance with applicable legal provisions.
The police have completed an important stage of the investigation by identifying the deceased, tracing the suspected vehicles, apprehending the accused and recovering the alleged murder weapon and vehicles.
Further investigation will focus on establishing the complete conspiracy, the individual responsibilities of the accused and other possible links in the alleged inter-district criminal network.
A Major Achievement for Balodabazar-Bhatapara Police
The successful detection of this complicated blind murder case is being viewed as a significant achievement for the Balodabazar-Bhatapara Police.
The case highlights the importance of modern surveillance systems, AI-assisted analysis, forensic investigation, digital intelligence and coordination between district police units in solving serious crimes.
Despite the absence of an immediate identification of the victim and the alleged attempts to mislead investigators, the police reconstructed the movements of the suspects across multiple districts and brought the investigation to a major breakthrough.
Five adults have been arrested, two juveniles have been taken into custody, and the knife, two cars and a scooter have been seized.
The case has exposed an alleged nexus of illegal cannabis trade, criminal rivalry and revenge, while underscoring the growing role of technology in modern criminal investigations.
Note: The allegations and roles attributed to the accused are based on the police press release dated November 9, 2026. All accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.
