In a shocking crime driven by superstition and vengeance, police in Madhya Pradesh's Narmadapuram district have arrested four individuals, including two juveniles, for the brutal murder of a young farmer. The victim, 20-year-old Chandan Nagvanshi, was allegedly bludgeoned to death and his body set on fire to destroy evidence.
Disappearance and Grisly Discovery
The case came to light when Chandan Nagvanshi, a resident of Jabali village under the Makhan Nagar police station limits, went missing on December 23. He had left his home on his motorcycle and did not return. His sister filed a missing person report the following day, on December 24.
Acting on the complaint, investigators scanned CCTV footage which revealed a crucial lead. The footage showed Chandan heading towards Budhni with four acquaintances. However, the footage confirmed he did not return with them, narrowing the focus of the probe onto these individuals.
Occult Grudge and a Deadly Trap
During the investigation, a disturbing motive emerged. The prime accused, identified as Sushil Nagvanshi, allegedly held a deep grudge against Chandan's family. This animosity stemmed from a tragic event the previous month—the sudden death of Sushil's mother.
Police stated that occult practitioners had blamed neighbors, including Chandan's family, for the unexplained death. Consumed by a desire for revenge, Sushil, along with the other accused, devised a plan.
They lured Chandan out under the pretext of attending a party. The group consumed alcohol at multiple locations, deliberately intoxicating the victim. They then took him to a secluded, forested area near Midghat.
A Brutal End and Attempt to Destroy Evidence
Once in the forest and with Chandan in a heavily intoxicated state, the accused allegedly attacked him. They bludgeoned him to death using stones. To cover their tracks and eliminate evidence, the perpetrators then poured petrol on Chandan's body and his motorcycle before setting both ablaze.
Following the confessions and leads, police teams searched the forest near Budhni. They recovered the charred remains of the body, the burnt motorcycle, Chandan's mobile phone, and a silver chain from the crime scene.
A murder case was registered under the provisions of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. All four accused were taken into custody. Narmadapuram SP Sai Krishna Thota commended the investigating team and announced a reward for their work in cracking the case swiftly.
