BJP leader burnt alive inside car; four arrested

RAIPUR: In a shocking incident, a BJP leader was burnt alive in Chhattisgarh’s Korea district. The victim has been identified as Bharat Singh, a former president of the Janpad Panchayat and a BJP leader. He was also known locally as “Lalla Singh.” Two other people who were travelling with him in the car were also killed in the attack.

According to police, Singh’s SUV was trapped between two trucks, after which the attackers poured petrol on the vehicle and set it on fire.

The incident took place on Tuesday night in Naugaon village. Police said that a long-running dispute related to sand mining is believed to be the reason behind the murder. Singh’s family said that he had gone to the village to hold talks for a settlement over a dispute related to sand quarry operations. Four people have been arrested in connection with the case.

The arrested accused have been identified as Akshat Tripathi, Vishal Tripathi, Satyaprakash Tripathi, and Mannu Tripathi. Police said that a search is underway for other suspects. A case has been registered against nine people.

Police said that the contract for the local sand quarry had been given to Bharat Singh’s family. A dispute had been going on for months between Singh’s family and the family of BJP leader Manoj Tripathi over the quarry issue. Police suspect that this dispute led to the murder. Bharat Singh was earlier associated with the Congress party and joined the BJP during the tenure of the Bhupesh Baghel-led government in Chhattisgarh.