Chhattisgarh Double Murder Shocks Surajpur District: History-Sheeter Allegedly Murders Policeman’s Family, Town Erupts in Anger
In a shocking and gruesome incident, the wife and daughter of a police head constable were brutally murdered, allegedly by a local criminal with political connections. The bodies of the two victims—35-year-old Mehnaaz Sheikh and 11-year-old Aliya Sheikh—were found semi-naked in a field on Monday morning, about five kilometres away from the crime scene. The horrific murders have sparked widespread outrage in the district, leading to violent protests, arson, and unrest.
How the Tragedy Unfolded: A Deadly Retaliation
According to police officials, the suspect, Kuldeep Sahu, is a known history-sheeter and serves as the district general secretary of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the youth wing of the Congress party. The trouble began on October 13 when Sahu was involved in a confrontation with a police constable during a Durga Puja idol immersion in the Chowpatty area. During the scuffle, Sahu allegedly poured hot oil on the constable, inflicting severe burn injuries. The injured officer had to be hospitalized, prompting the local police to launch a manhunt for Sahu.
Head Constable Talib Sheikh and his team arrived at the scene to arrest the accused. However, Sahu managed to evade capture and, in the process, attempted to run over Sheikh with his car. Luckily, the officer dodged the vehicle just in time, and Sahu fled the area.
What followed was a chilling act of revenge. While the police were devising a strategy to track him down, Sahu reportedly broke into Head Constable Sheikh’s home later that night. Armed with a sharp weapon, he allegedly murdered Sheikh’s wife, Mehnaaz, and their daughter, Aliya, in cold blood.
Discovery of the Crime
When Head Constable Sheikh returned home from duty on Sunday evening, he found the front door broken open and bloodstains inside the house. Realizing that something terrible had happened, he immediately alerted the police. A frantic search was launched for his missing family members, which led to the discovery of their semi-naked bodies in a remote field on Monday morning.
The victims had been brutally attacked, and the condition in which their bodies were found points to the severity and brutality of the crime. Police suspect the attack was premeditated and carried out as an act of revenge against Sheikh for his role in trying to arrest Sahu.
Outrage and Public Backlash
News of the horrific murders spread quickly across Surajpur, sparking public outrage. Angry residents gathered in large numbers, calling for a shutdown of the town and staging a protest outside the local police station. The crowd demanded immediate action and justice for the slain mother and daughter.
The protest soon spiraled into violence. Enraged locals vandalized Sahu’s house, setting it on fire along with several vehicles parked outside. Fortunately, none of Sahu’s family members were present at the time of the arson attack.
To restore calm, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Jagannath Verma arrived at the scene to appease the crowd and urge them not to resort to violence. However, the mob’s anger boiled over, and Verma was assaulted by some protestors before police intervened to extract him from the area.
Police Response and Investigation
The police have formed four special teams to track down the accused, who remains on the run as of now. Law enforcement officials have increased their presence in the area to prevent further escalation of violence.
Initial investigations revealed that Sahu’s vehicle carried an NSUI District President nameplate, further indicating his affiliation with the Congress youth wing. Police also recovered an ID card from the crime scene, confirming Sahu’s role as the NSUI District General Secretary.
Authorities are treating the case with the utmost urgency, given the heinous nature of the crime and the political ramifications due to Sahu’s association with NSUI. Police teams are combing through possible hideouts in the area and nearby districts to locate the fugitive.
Ongoing Political and Social Fallout
This incident has triggered not only public outrage but also political controversy, with Sahu’s political ties coming under intense scrutiny. The involvement of a politically connected individual in such a horrific crime has raised questions about law enforcement and political accountability in the region.
The police have urged the public to remain calm while the investigation is ongoing and have assured residents that justice will be served. Meanwhile, they are monitoring the situation closely to prevent further unrest in the community.
This heart-wrenching crime has left the district in shock, with both law enforcement and residents grappling with the scale of violence that unfolded. As the manhunt for Sahu continues, the focus now lies on ensuring swift justice for the grieving family and restoring peace to the community.