Chhattisgarh

In a startling case of counterfeit currency production, the police in Durg district of Chhattisgarh have arrested a husband and wife for printing and circulating fake currency notes after learning the technique from YouTube videos. Driven by mounting debts and financial distress, the couple allegedly produced fake notes worth more than ₹1.70 lakh using a color photocopy machine. The accused have been identified as Arun Kumar Turang (50) and his wife Rakhi Turang (40), residents of Raipur. According to police officials, the couple printed counterfeit notes of ₹500, ₹200, and ₹100 denominations and circulated them mainly in weekly markets across the Durg–Bhilai region. To avoid suspicion, the accused admitted to rubbing soil on the fake notes to make them appear old and used, resemblin...

Raipur: Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri’s five-day visit to Chhattisgarh for the Hanumant Katha turned into a political and ideological flashpoint, drawing sharp reactions from the opposition and reigniting debates on faith, state support, and religious influence. From traveling in a government aircraft to a police salute and outspoken remarks on religious conversion, the Bageshwar Dham chief remained at the center of controversy throughout his stay. The Hanumant Katha, held at Jayanti Stadium in Bhilai from December 25 to 29, concluded on Sunday amid heightened political tension. Addressing the gathering on the final day, Shastri responded to criticism over his travel in a government plane, stating that responsibility lies with those who arranged it, not with someone who was invited. ...

Raigarh, Chhattisgarh: Villagers in Raigarh district are living in fear as wild elephants rampage across multiple villages, damaging homes and looting paddy. Several incidents over the past week have highlighted the growing menace posed by these animals in Lailunga Range and other areas under Raigarh Forest Division. Videos circulating on social media show elephants breaking into homes to eat stored paddy and carrying away bags of grain from local procurement centers. In one incident, a family in Ankera village narrowly escaped when an elephant broke through the wall of their home. The family managed to flee, avoiding serious injury. The threat is not limited to homes. In Bangusia village, a group of three elephants attacked a local paddy procurement center late at night, damaging ar...

Raipur, Chhattisgarh: A statewide shutdown was observed in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday in response to violent incidents in Kanker district involving the burial of a person who had undergone religious conversion. The unrest, which occurred on 17 December, saw vandalism and arson at a local prayer site, prompting authorities to impose Section 144 to curb further disturbances. The shutdown, called by the All Communities Forum of Chhattisgarh, was widely observed across Bastar division and other districts including Raipur, Bijapur, and Dantewada. Markets, shops, and business establishments remained closed, affecting daily life to some extent. Peaceful and Constitutional ProtestLeaders of the forum and the Tribal Protection Council emphasized that the shutdown was intended to be peaceful, d...

Raipur: In a significant crackdown on the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested retired IAS officer Niranjan Das. The arrest, conducted by the ED’s Raipur zonal office, was made under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Das was produced before the Special Court in Raipur, which remanded him to custody. The investigation was initiated based on an FIR filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau/Economic Offenses Wing, Raipur. Niranjan Das faces charges under multiple sections of the IPC, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Massive Financial Loss to State ExposedPolice investigations have revealed that the liquor scam caused significant financial losses to the state, with criminal proceeds exceeding ₹2,500 crore. Beneficiaries inv...

Sarguja district in Chhattisgarh has a new Collector. IAS officer Ajit Basant assumed charge in Ambikapur, becoming the 53rd Collector of the district. On his very first day, he began reviewing various government schemes and instructed officials to implement policies effectively for the welfare of the public. Who is IAS Ajit Basant?Born on 20 January 1987 in Madhubani, Bihar, Ajit Basant grew up in a household that valued education—his father was a lecturer. Known for his academic brilliance from an early age, Ajit initially considered pursuing engineering after class 12 but later chose a different path. Inspired by the dream of his grandfather and father to see a family member join the civil services, he pursued a BA in History (Honours) while preparing for the UPSC exam. From SSC C...

In a deeply disturbing incident of mob violence, a 31-year-old migrant labourer from Chhattisgarh, Ramnarayan Baghel, was beaten to death by a mob in Kerala’s Palakkad district after being falsely suspected of theft. Ramnarayan, who had travelled to Kerala in search of livelihood, did not even carry a mobile phone. Police were able to identify and contact his family only after finding a piece of paper with phone numbers in his pocket. The incident occurred on Wednesday in Attappallam village, where Ramnarayan was allegedly mistaken for a thief. Five people have been arrested so far in connection with the lynching. Went to Kerala to Support His Family Ramnarayan Baghel, a resident of Karahi village in Sakti district of Chhattisgarh, belonged to the Satanami community, a Scheduled C...

Ahmedabad, Gujarat: A shocking incident unfolded in Ahmedabad when a traffic police officer allegedly slapped a woman during a routine vehicle check. The incident, caught on video, has sparked widespread outrage. While Congress leader Jignesh Mevani has demanded strict action, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik has acknowledged the incident and promised investigation. Incident Details: The victim, Bansri Manish Thakkar, residing in Vasan, reported that on the evening of 19th December at around 6:30 PM, she was crossing the signal near Char Rasta when a traffic officer stopped her and asked for her license. After handing over her license, she requested to move aside, which allegedly angered the officer. The officer reportedly slapped her when her ID card fell to the ground, and ...

Raipur: In Sukma district, Chhattisgarh, 35 former Naxalites are being trained as skilled masons to become self-reliant under the state government’s rehabilitation policy, which aims to promote peace in Naxal-affected areas through dialogue, empathy, and development. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said that by providing surrendered youth with skills and dignity, they are being reintegrated into mainstream society. The hands that once carried weapons are now learning to handle construction tools. Comprehensive Skill DevelopmentThe training program, conducted in collaboration with the district administration and SBI RCET, includes 15 women and 20 men. Trainees are learning all aspects of building construction, including laying foundations, brickwork, plastering, and roofing. Once trained, ...

In a shocking incident that has sent ripples across Chhattisgarh’s police establishment, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was brutally attacked with a knife in broad daylight in Dantewada. The prime accused is the same woman who had earlier lodged a rape case against the officer, allegedly acting in concert with a retired Army personnel. Investigators say the duo followed the officer for nearly 350 kilometres before executing the attack and holding him hostage for over two hours. The injured officer has been identified as DSP Tomesh Verma, currently posted in the Maoist-affected Jagargonda area of Sukma district. On the day of the incident, DSP Verma had travelled to Dantewada for official work and was present at the court premises. Planned Attack After Long पीछा According ...