A shopkeeper in Chhattisgarh’s Balodabazar has been arrested for allegedly poisoning eight men to death over a period of four months, police said on Tuesday.
Ram Sahai Jaiswal, 46, used borax powder to kill the victims between February and May this year in Kharvi village. He mixed the substance, locally called “Suhaja”, in alcohol and offered it to the men, PTI reported.
Investigators said Jaiswal then helped the victims’ families transport the victims to hospitals and attended their funerals after death. Police described him as a “psycho killer” and said the murders were motivated by revenge, grudges, disagreements and frustration over minor issues.
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investigation
The case came to light after villagers and relatives of the deceased went to the police earlier this month suspecting a pattern of deaths. Until then, most cases were treated as Natural death or disease.
The police then began a detailed investigation. On June 13, they exhumed the body of the final victim, Mahitaro Sahu, who died on May 14. After this, six more bodies were exhumed and sent to Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial (Mikahara) Hospital in Raipur for post-mortem examination. One of the victims, Bhudram Jaiswal, had already been cremated, so his remains were not available.
A special medicolegal team collected DNA samples, viscera and other forensic evidence for testing.
Victims
Police said Jaiswal got the borax powder from a villager. He allegedly said he needed it to kill rats. He first tested it on a dog that died.
His first alleged human murder was on February 6, when he served a poisoned drink to Badri, with whom he had frequent disputes.
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He then allegedly continued targeting people. On February 20, he was said to have killed Buthalo over communal and election-related disputes. On March 12, Chattu Ram was allegedly poisoned after Jaiswal suspected him of having inappropriate intentions towards his wife. On March 20, Budhram was targeted in a case linked to a land dispute.
On March 31, Vinod Kumar was allegedly killed after repeated altercations with the accused. On April 28, Gajanand was killed. Police said Jaiswal was suspected of practicing black magic and causing financial damage. The next day, the lender Chituram was allegedly killed to avoid making a payment $Loan 50,000. His last alleged victim, Mahitaru Ram, was killed on May 14.
Police also said that a man, identified as Kartik, survived after drinking the poisoned liquor and later recovered. He later told investigators that Jaiswal gave him the same drink.
recognition
During interrogation, Jaiswal initially denied it but later confessed, police said. He allegedly admitted to targeting the victims over old disagreements, arguments, accusations of witchcraft and other grievances.
Investigators also said he tried to avoid suspicion by helping grieving families and attending funerals of those he allegedly killed.
For months, villagers believed the deaths were due to disease or chance. Suspicions only grew when they realized that all the deceased had met Jaiswal shortly before their deaths.
Police have registered eight murder cases and one attempt to murder case against Jaiswal.
(PTI inputs)
