Chhattisgarh BJP leader Bharat Singh alias Lalla Singh was burnt alive inside his Fortuner SUV after it was allegedly set on fire by one Manoj Tripathi and his associates following a dispute over illegal sand mining, police said.
The incident took place on Tuesday in Katgodi village under the limits of Sonhat Police Station when the victim was travelling with his relatives.
The accused allegedly trapped Singh’s Fortuner SUV between two trucks before setting it on fire.
“There are two groups. Lalla Singh and Manoj Tripathi used to have a dispute over illegal sand mining… Both sides were spoken to and told not to have a dispute with each other, and not to engage in illegal sand mining. Both sides had stopped doing it. But their dispute resumed recently,” said Vinod Paswan, Station House Officer, Sonhat Police Station.
According to the Sonhat SHO, Lalla Singh had gone to Manoj Tripathi’s village and arson occurred.
“Lalla Singh died on the spot in the arson and there are reports of two more deaths as well. Others are admitted to the hospital. Four people have been arrested so far. More arrests will be made,” he added.
Following the incident, the Sonhat Police have registered a case under charges of murder, arson, and other relevant sections of the law.
So far, the police have named nine accused, along with several unidentified accused in the FIR.
Deepak Jha, Inspector General (IG), Surguja Range, said, “Those who have been taken into custody are being questioned, and arrests have been made. Efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining accused as well.”
Police teams have been formed to nab the remaining accused and an investigation is underway.