In a shocking incident stemming from deep-seated political and business enmity, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was brutally murdered in Chhattisgarh's Korba district. The police have arrested three individuals and booked a minor for the alleged killing of Akshay Garg, who was also a road contractor.
The Fatal Attack at a Road Construction Site
The crime occurred while Garg was supervising a road construction project at Keshalpur village in Korba. According to a detailed statement from the Korba Police, the victim was discussing work with labourers near his camp's mesh when the assailants arrived in a four-wheeler. The accused, identified as Mirza Mustaq Ahmed (27), Vishwajeet Ogre (21), and Gulshan Das (26), attacked Garg with sharp iron rods and a knife. He sustained severe injuries to the back of his head, hands, and stomach before the attackers fled the scene. Garg later succumbed to his wounds.
Police Unravel the Motive: A Web of Rivalry and Insult
Investigators have attributed the murder to a toxic mix of political and business competition. Mirza Mustaq Ahmed, named as the prime suspect, allegedly orchestrated the attack. Police reports indicate Ahmed collected the weapons and delivered the first blow to Garg's stomach. Vishwajeet Ogre actively participated in the assault, while Gulshan Das is suspected of informing the others about Garg's arrival at the site. A minor boy, allegedly lured into the plot with promises of a car, was also part of the attack.
The rivalry had multiple layers. Police stated that Ahmed desired a contract in the area but was unable to secure it due to Garg's influence. Furthermore, political animosity festered after Ahmed lost to Garg in a panchayat election earlier this year. However, the immediate trigger was a perceived social insult. A police source revealed that for an annual cricket tournament earlier this month, Garg was invited as the chief guest instead of Ahmed, who had traditionally held that position. This public snub led to taunts from locals about Ahmed's waning influence, which allegedly pushed him over the edge.
Aftermath and Condemnation
This was reportedly not the first attempt on Garg's life. Police revealed the suspects had been tailing him the previous day but failed to find an opportunity to strike. Following the murder, police seized critical evidence including an axe, a car, and mobile phones used in the attack.
Korba Superintendent of Police Siddharth Tewari confirmed that all the accused have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. The BJP's Korba district in-charge, Gopal Modi, strongly condemned the killing, calling it "shocking" and asserting that such incidents are uncommon in Chhattisgarh.
The case highlights the dangerous intersection of political ambition and business competition in the region, leading to a tragic and violent outcome.
