Family Axe Attack in Chhattisgarh Leaves Three Dead, Two Critical Including Pregnant Woman
In a horrifying and brutal incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, three members of a family, including a nine-year-old boy, were hacked to death in Chhattisgarh's Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, also left two others, including a pregnant woman, battling for their lives in critical condition.
Police officials stated that the alleged assailant, identified as Tulsi Sarthi (26), a neighbour and relative, broke into the family's home while they were asleep and launched a vicious assault with an axe. The incident unfolded in Jhal village, located in the Dongarpali region, plunging the area into panic and grief.
Victims and Immediate Aftermath
The deceased victims have been named as Mando Bai Sarthi (62), Rajesh Sarthi (36), and Prashant Sarthi (9). The critically injured are Kumar Sai Sarthi (65) and Shakuntala Sarthi (30), who is the pregnant wife of Rajesh. Both were rushed to Raigarh Medical College, where medical authorities reported their condition as extremely critical, fighting for survival.
Senior police officers, including Superintendent of Police Anjaneya Varshney and Additional Superintendent of Police Nimisha Pandey, immediately rushed to the scene with a dedicated team. A forensic unit was deployed to meticulously collect evidence from the crime scene, while security measures were intensified across the village to prevent further unrest and ensure public safety.
Arrest and Recovery of Weapon
According to investigating officers, the accused attempted to flee after committing the heinous crime but was swiftly tracked down and apprehended by police. In a significant development during the follow-up operation, an axe believed to have been used in the murders was recovered from a pond in a nearby forest area. This recovery is expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation.
Motive and Background of the Dispute
Preliminary investigations by the police point to a long-running and bitter dispute between the two families, with tensions reportedly simmering for approximately five years. Local residents and neighbourhood sources indicated that the conflict originated from an altercation involving verbal abuse, though the exact trigger for this deadly attack remains under verification.
Police authorities emphasized that all possible angles are being thoroughly examined to determine the precise motive behind the murderous assault. The accused is currently being interrogated to gather further leads and insights into the circumstances that led to this tragedy.
Family Statements and Ongoing Probe
In a contrasting account, the father of the accused, Shaukilal, informed police that his son works as a daily-wage labourer at a hotel and had returned to the village just three days prior to the incident. He claimed there was no "major dispute" between the families and recounted that Tulsi left home early in the morning with an axe, stating he was heading to the forest. Shortly after, screams were heard from the neighbour's house, alerting the community.
A formal case has been registered in connection with the attack, and a comprehensive probe is actively underway. Post-mortem examinations have been conducted on the deceased, with reports awaited to provide further forensic details. The police continue to grill the accused and investigate all aspects of this chilling case, as the village grapples with the aftermath of the violence.
