Constable guns down sister-in-law, her uncle; arrested

 

By Sagaya Fernando | September 11, 2025

Korba, Chhatisgarh, INDIA: A Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) constable was arrested on Wednesday September 10 after he allegedly shot dead his teenage sister-in-law and her uncle with his service rifle in Korba district, police said.

The incident took place around 11:30 am near Chhindpur village under Hardibazar police station limits, even as Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and his deputies Vijay Sharma and Arun Sao were in the district for official engagements.

The accused, identified as Tesram (also reported as Sheshram) Binjhwar, is attached to the 13th battalion of the CAF and was posted at Banga camp. Police said he collected his INSAS rifle from the camp but instead of reporting for duty, went to his in-laws’ village Umendi Bhatha, where the shooting occurred.

According to investigators, Binjhwar first opened fire on his 17-year-old sister-in-law outside the village temple and minutes later shot her uncle, Rajesh Binjhwar (35), on the main road. Both victims died on the spot.

Korba superintendent of police Siddharth Tiwari said the accused was overpowered by locals as he attempted to flee and was handed over to police along with the weapon. “Preliminary investigation suggests a domestic dispute with his estranged wife’s family as the motive behind the attack,” he said.

The victims’ family alleged that the constable had a history of harassing his wife. The girl’s mother told reporters that her elder daughter had married Binjhwar three years ago but left him within a year following abuse. “He even tried to set her on fire. Community leaders were discussing a formal separation, but today he barged into my house and killed my younger daughter and my brother. Has the government given weapons to jawans for murdering people?” she said.

The murders triggered panic in the village, with residents running for cover during the gunfire. Angry relatives and villagers later placed the bodies outside the hospital and blocked the Bhilaibazaar–Umendi Bhatha road, demanding strict action and compensation. Additional police personnel were deployed to restore order.