Koriya/Surajpur, Chhattisgarh | June 17, 2026
A shocking and tragic incident linked to an ongoing sand mining dispute has claimed the lives of three people, including a prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, in the Sonhat area of Chhattisgarh’s Koriya district.
According to police officials, Bharat Singh alias Lalla Singh, a BJP leader and former Vice-Chairman of the Janpad Panchayat, died after being trapped inside a Toyota Fortuner SUV that caught fire during a violent clash between two rival groups on Tuesday night. Two other victims who suffered severe burn injuries later succumbed to their injuries during treatment, raising the death toll to three.
Dispute Over Sand Mining Turns Deadly
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Suresha Choubey stated that the conflict involved two rival factions, commonly referred to as the Tripathi Group and the Thakur Group, who had reportedly been engaged in a long-standing dispute over sand excavation and mining rights in the region.
The incident occurred around 10:30 PM in Naugai village, where members of the Thakur Group allegedly arrived at the residence of the Tripathi family. What began as an argument quickly escalated into a violent confrontation involving physical assault and chaos.
During the clash, a Fortuner vehicle carrying Bharat Singh and his associates caught fire. Authorities are still investigating the exact circumstances under which the vehicle was set ablaze.
“We have registered a case under Sections 302 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code, along with provisions related to arson and destruction of property. The investigation is ongoing, and we are working to determine how the vehicle caught fire,” ASP Choubey said.
Victims Identified
Police said that Bharat Singh was traveling in the vehicle along with Virendra Pratap Singh and Nagendra Pratap Singh when the incident occurred.
- Bharat Singh (Lalla Singh) died at the scene after being trapped in the burning vehicle.
- Nagendra Pratap Singh, who suffered severe burns, died while being transported to Raipur for advanced medical treatment.
- Virendra Pratap Singh succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ambikapur.
The deaths have sent shockwaves across the region and sparked widespread concern over escalating violence linked to illegal mining and local rivalries.
Police Action and Arrests
Inspector General (IG) of Surguja Range, Deepak Jha, confirmed that police have launched an extensive investigation into the case.
“We have registered an offense at Sonhat Police Station. Four suspects have been taken into custody and formally arrested. Efforts are underway to locate and apprehend six additional accused individuals who are currently absconding,” Jha said.
The four arrested accused have been identified as:
- Akshat Tripathi
- Vishal Tripathi
- Satyaprakash Tripathi
- Mannu Tripathi
Police teams are conducting raids at multiple locations to track down the remaining suspects.
Previous Rivalry Under Investigation
Authorities revealed that both groups had reportedly been involved in previous disputes and altercations. Investigators are examining whether the latest violence was the result of a long-standing rivalry connected to sand mining operations and local dominance in the area.
Officials are also reviewing evidence and witness statements to determine the sequence of events that led to the deadly fire.
Heavy Security Deployment
Given the seriousness of the incident and growing tensions in the region, additional police forces have been deployed across Sonhat and surrounding villages.
Senior police officers, including IG Deepak Jha, visited the crime scene and reviewed security arrangements. Authorities stated that the area has been placed under close surveillance to prevent any further violence or retaliation.
Political Reactions
The incident has drawn reactions from leaders across the political spectrum.
BJP MLA Bhaiyalal Rajwade expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and called for strict action against those responsible.
“This is an extremely unfortunate incident. Preliminary reports suggest that there was a dispute between the two groups. The guilty must face the harshest punishment under the law,” Rajwade said.
Former Congress MLA Gulab Kamro also condemned the violence and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
“This is a tragic loss of life. I have informed senior party leadership about the incident. We pray that the families find strength during this difficult time,” Kamro stated.
Investigation Continues
Police officials have assured the public that all individuals involved in the attack will be brought to justice. Authorities have appealed to residents to maintain peace and public order while the investigation proceeds.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over illegal sand mining, local power struggles, and the growing violence associated with resource-related disputes in several parts of India.
As investigations continue, law enforcement agencies remain focused on uncovering the full truth behind one of the most disturbing incidents reported in Chhattisgarh this year.