Kharora Police have arrested 15 individuals involved in a robbery in Kevradih village, orchestrated under the influence of superstition and greed. Police recovered stolen items worth Rs 20 lakh. The victim, Radhelal Bhardwaj, lodged a complaint that on the night of masked men armed with swords, knives, and pistol-like weapons stormed his residence while his family was asleep on the intervening night of March 27-28. The intruders threatened him and his wife, demanding valuables. Bhardwaj suffered a hand injury in the altercation before the gang looted the house and fled. The crime, registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 310(2) and 331(6) as Crime No 182/25, involved the theft of gold, silver, and cash worth approximately Rs 20 lakh based on his complaint. The case was investigated by a team led by senior police officials, including the Deputy Inspector General of Police and the Senior Superintendent of Police. Ten specialised teams from the Crime Branch and Kharora Police Station conducted a meticulous probe, analysing CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and eyewitness statements.

 

The breakthrough came when Jitendra Pathak, a resident of Tilda Nevra, was identified as a suspect. Initially attempting to mislead investigators, Pathak later confessed and revealed the names of his accomplices. A series of raids across Mungeli, Kabirdham, Baloda Bazar, Mahasamund, and Raipur led to the arrest of 15 individuals. The mastermind, Devraj Dahriya of Kevradih, harbored jealousy and business rivalry against Bhardwaj. Fueled by rumors that Bhardwaj possessed Rs 40 crore and 16 kg of gold, Dahriya plotted the robbery, enlisting Ishwar Ramteke and Sona Barmate alias Sonu, who in turn recruited others, including Alakh Niranjan, Saptarishi, and Jitendra Pathak. The gang incorporated ‘Chapan’ and ‘Jharna’, tantric rituals, believing these would render the Bhardwaj family unconscious during the heist. On the night of the robbery, the criminals arrived in three cars and a motorcycle. While seven of them entered the house, the rest acted as lookouts.

 

They executed the plan and fled with the stolen valuables. The accused are identified as Devraj Dahriya, 30, Kevradih, Ishwar Ramteke, 66, Professor Colony, Raipur; Saptarishi Raj, 52, Bhathiya. (A history sheeter), Alakh Niranjan Rajak 47, Akoli, Jitendra Pathak, 33, Jalso, Tilak Verma, 58, Nardaha, Kishan Verma, 34, Baikunth, Rupesh Sahu, 36, Loharsi, Pinku Rajput, 20, Navgata, Suraj Sen, 25, Dharampura, Chhatrapal Rajput alias Raju, 27, Dharampura, Gajju Chandravanshi, 25, Navghata, Prakash Mishra, 31, Baloda Bazar, Sahil Khan, 27, Kampa and Sona Barmate alias Sonu, 35, Umariya. Police recovered stolen jewelry, cash, weapons, 15 mobile phones, and vehicles used in the crime, including Motorcycle (CG/04/LL/3019), Swift Car (CG 07 MB 1490), Tata Hexa (CG 04 MB 0777), and Wagon R (CG 28 L 9996). Three suspects remain absconding, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them. The Inspector General of Police, Raipur Range, has issued public advisory urging citizens to beware of fraudulent claims regarding hidden treasures and tantric rituals. The police have appealed for immediate reporting of any suspicious activities related to such superstitions.