The investigation into the triple murder case in CGs Koriya district has led to the arrest of 4. The accused arrested have been identified as Vishal Tripathi, Satyakumar Tripathi , Akshay Tripathi and Mahendar Tripathi. So far nine have been accused under murder and attempted murder charges. Three out of the four seated in the car died while, one identified as Mayank Singh is critical.
On Tuesday night BJP leader and former Janpad Panchayat President Bharat Singh, also known as Lalla Singh along with another relative charred to death as rivals burnt his SUV while they were stuck inside. Investigation revealed long standing sand mining dispute over transportation and mining of sand across CG. The incident occurred in Naugain village under Sonhat police station limits.
According to police, the SUV was trapped between the light tripper trucks, doused with petrol and set on fire. By the time the fire was controlled all the three in the vehicle succumbed to the flames by the time they reached the hospital. A statement by the family of Bharat Singh revealed, he had gone to negotiate the dispute connected to sand quarry operations. An old business rivalry subjected to sand mining is being suspected.
So far 4 have been arrested by the police while search for others is on. “Prima facie, forensic experts said the accused poured fuel to burn the victims alive but have not yet submitted their report,” a senior police officer said. Four men from the same family have been arrested in the case — Vishal, Satyakumar, Akshay and Mahendar. A case has been registered against 9 accused under murder and attempted murder charges.
Initial investigation revealed the sand quarry contact was handed over to the family of Bharat Singh. Days later, sprat erupted over sand transportation and illegal collections linked to mining operations across Sonhat, Kailashpur, Teilmuda, Beliya and Chhingura. The dispute had been simmering since months between Bharat Singh and BJP leader Manoj Tripathi.
As per reports, the Tirpathi family owned tripper trucks for used transporting sand to Baikunthpur. The argument allegedly deepend over payments ans sand extraction which later turned into a brutal confrontation.
“Sand mafias have been operating under government patronage in Chhattisgarh. Illegal sand mining is being carried out under the protection of BJP leaders. The deceased (Bharat Singh) was a BJP leader, and those accused of the attack are also linked to the BJP,” said Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij, claiming rivalries among BJP leaders over illegal mining.