Raigarh, Chhattisgarh: Chhattisgarh police on Saturday arrested a 65-year-old man in connection with the brutal rape of a woman and the subsequent killings of her and her 10-month-old daughter, a senior officer said. The accused, identified as Bhikariram Nagvanshi of Kodasiya village, was taken into custody on August 6 after weeks of investigation, Raigarh Senior Superintendent of Police Shashi Mohan Singh said.
Sequence of events and investigation
The crime occurred on the night of July 15 at a remote farm in Chhaparani village under the Lailunga police station limits, the police said. The 35-year-old woman, a widow reportedly with mental health issues, lived on the farm with her infant daughter. Her cousin lodged a complaint at Lailunga police station on July 16 after finding the woman critically injured and the baby dead at the scene, the SSP said.
Initial medical examination showed the woman had sustained severe head and facial injuries after being struck with a heavy object. She later died during treatment, and police registered a case under section 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Singh added.
How police cracked a complex case
With no eyewitnesses and the incident taking place in an isolated location, investigators said the probe posed significant challenges. Teams from the Raigarh police, the Forensic Science Laboratory and the dog squad examined the scene and collected physical evidence. Officers also camped in Chhaparapani village to question residents and gather intelligence through informants.
As the inquiry progressed, officers said forensic leads and field intelligence increasingly pointed to Nagvanshi. Inspecting suspects identified a suspicious injury mark on the accused's hand during preliminary questioning, which, combined with forensic material, formed the basis for further interrogation. Police said Nagvanshi initially denied involvement but later confessed.
"Teams from the police, the Forensic Science Laboratory, and the dog squad inspected the crime scene and collected physical evidence," Raigarh SSP Shashi Mohan Singh said.
Charges and next steps
Authorities said the accused has confessed to attacking the victims when the woman resisted his assault. The case file will be updated with statements, forensic reports and the confession. Further legal action will follow in accordance with the provisions of the BNS that were invoked at the time of registration.
Police did not provide details of the specific forensic findings or the exact evidence recovered, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. No information was given on whether the accused has legal representation or about any bail proceedings.
Local impact and wider concerns
The incident has raised concerns about safety of vulnerable persons living in isolated rural locations and the speed of detection and response in such cases. The police have emphasised their reliance on coordination between field teams and forensic units to piece together evidence where there are no direct eyewitnesses.
Public health and social welfare authorities were not cited in the police briefing; the source material states the victim reportedly had mental health issues but gives no further detail on her support network or whether she was receiving care.
- Date of crime: Night of July 15
- Date complaint filed: July 16
- Arrest made: August 6
- Accused: Bhikariram Nagvanshi, 65, resident of Kodasiya village
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Victims | 35-year-old woman (widow, reported mental health issues) and her 10-month-old daughter |
| Police units involved | Raigarh police, Forensic Science Laboratory, dog squad |
| Initial charges | Section 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita |
Investigating officers said the arrest followed methodical fieldwork and evidence analysis rather than public leads. They are preparing the case for submission to the district magistrate and the local court for further prosecutorial action.
The police appeal in such cases typically asks anyone with additional information to come forward to assist the investigation; however, the official briefing did not specify contact points for tips or witnesses.
Further updates, including formal charge sheets and forensic reports, are expected as the probe continues and the matter proceeds through the criminal justice process.
