A horrific domestic dispute in a remote village of Chhattisgarh culminated in a double tragedy over the weekend, leaving a family shattered and a community in shock. The incident, stemming from a drunken argument, saw a man allegedly shoot his young son dead, injure his wife, and later die by suicide.
The Fatal Night in Kunwardalli Village
The tragedy unfolded in Kunwardalli village within the Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district. According to police, the accused, 48-year-old Santaram Uike, lived with his wife, Shanti Bai, in a modest hut on the village outskirts. The couple earned their livelihood through the labor-intensive work of making bricks.
On Friday night, Santaram returned home in an inebriated state and initiated a quarrel with his wife. The verbal altercation quickly turned violent, with Santaram allegedly subjecting Shanti Bai to a brutal assault. The commotion alerted neighbours, who promptly informed the couple's son, 22-year-old Shekhar Uike.
Confrontation Turns Deadly
Shekhar rushed to his parents' hut and confronted his father, demanding to know the reason for beating his mother. In an attempt to de-escalate the volatile situation, Shekhar tried to pacify his father and then sat with his injured mother behind the hut. However, the respite was tragically short-lived.
Consumed by rage, Santaram allegedly retrieved his country-made muzzle-loading gun. He then fired at his son at point-blank range. The pellets struck Shekhar, killing him instantly on the spot. Shanti Bai was also hit by splinters from the blast and collapsed from her injuries.
Villagers immediately rushed both victims to a nearby hospital. Doctors, however, could only declare Shekhar dead on arrival. Shanti Bai, who sustained pellet injuries, was admitted for treatment. Authorities have stated that she is now out of danger and is currently undergoing medical care.
Accused Found Dead, Police Cite Remorse
Following the shooting, Santaram fled the scene, evading immediate capture. A joint search operation by the police and villagers continued throughout Saturday. The grim discovery was made late that night when Santaram was found hanging from a tree near his hut, a short distance from where the murder occurred.
Speaking on the possible motive behind the suicide, Inspector Ashwini Rathore indicated that the accused appeared to have been overcome by shock and remorse after sobering up. "Initial investigation suggests he committed the murder in a drunken rage," Rathore said. The police theory posits that Santaram likely realized the gravity of his horrific act once the intoxication wore off, and the ensuing guilt led him to take his own life.
A forensic team examined the crime scene on Sunday, and the bodies of both Santaram and Shekhar have been sent for post-mortem examination. Police officials have confirmed that they are investigating "every angle" of this heartbreaking case that has devastated a small community.
