Chhattisgarh SDM Arrested in Alleged Beating Death Linked to Illegal Mining Dispute; Political War of Words Follows
Raipur/Balrampur: A senior administrative officer in Chhattisgarh has been taken into custody along with three others after a violent altercation in a forested border village left a 62-year-old tribal resident dead and two men injured, triggering protests and sharp political reactions across the state.
The incident occurred late Sunday evening near Hanspur village in Balrampur district, close to the Chhattisgarh–Jharkhand border.
Police on Monday arrested Kusmi Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Karun Dahariya, a State Administrative Service officer, along with Vicki Singh alias Ajay Pratap Singh, Manjit Kumar Yadav, and Sudip Yadav.
According to investigators, the four men allegedly assaulted three villagers using iron rods and sticks.
The injured were taken to a nearby hospital, where one of them, 62-year-old Karan Ram alias Ramnaresh, succumbed to severe injuries. The other two are undergoing treatment.
Villagers Allege Clash Over Illegal Mining
Residents claim the confrontation erupted when villagers attempted to stop a Hyva truck allegedly involved in illegal bauxite extraction.
Rajiv Tirki, a distant relative of the deceased and a Congress worker, said villagers had intercepted the vehicle when the officer and his companions arrived and allegedly attacked them.
Family members have refused to perform the last rites, demanding the arrest of another revenue official present at the scene and financial compensation.
The death sparked demonstrations by villagers, members of the Sarva Adivasi Samaj and political workers, who accused authorities of shielding illegal mining activities.
Officer’s Version Raises Questions
During questioning, Dahariya told police he had received information about illegal mining and went to the location to intervene.
However, investigators say his explanation has inconsistencies.
A police officer involved in the probe noted that the SDM travelled in a private vehicle accompanied by civilians instead of using his official car, driver, or security personnel, and did not inform local police before proceeding to the spot — standard protocol for such operations.
Authorities are also interrogating the owner of the truck allegedly linked to mining activity.
Balrampur Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Banker confirmed an FIR has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 103(1) for murder and 115(2) for causing hurt. The accused are being produced before a magistrate.
Political Reactions Intensify
The case quickly took a political turn. Former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel accused the ruling BJP government of enabling “administrative terror”, alleging the killing was connected to villagers opposing illegal bauxite mining.
Responding to the allegations, BJP MP and party spokesperson Santosh Pandey said the government is conducting a fair and sensitive investigation and accused the opposition of politicising the tragedy.
He also cited past law-and-order incidents during the previous administration, urging the Congress to “introspect before blaming others”.
Situation on the Ground
Tension remains high in the area as protests continue,
and security presence has been increased to prevent escalation.
Authorities say the investigation will examine both the circumstances of the alleged assault and the possible illegal mining angle.
The case has drawn statewide attention as it involves a serving administrative officer and raises broader concerns about accountability, resource extraction disputes, and tribal rights in mineral-rich regions.
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