Police have successfully cracked the sensational double murder and robbery case involving an elderly couple in Chandbarda village under the Garoth police station jurisdiction in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district. Authorities have apprehended three individuals in connection with the crime, while another suspect allegedly died by suicide following the incident. Recoveries made from the arrested accused include stolen silver ornaments, the motorcycle used in the crime, mobile phones, and blood-stained apparel.
Elderly couple attacked inside farm hut
According to law enforcement officials, on August 25, 2026, Narayan, son of Devilal and a resident of Chandbarda, lodged a formal complaint at the Garoth police station. He stated that his elderly parents, Devilal and Bhulibai, were sleeping inside a hut constructed on their farm located far away from the village. During the night, unidentified miscreants attacked the couple using heavy stones, resulting in Devilal's immediate death, while Bhulibai was found critically injured. Bhulibai subsequently succumbed to her injuries during treatment, turning the case into a double murder.
Missing silver ornaments point towards robbery
During the course of the investigation, the victims' son informed authorities that his mother Bhulibai habitually wore heavy silver ankle ornaments known as aamle, which were missing from her legs after the incident. Acting on this crucial clue, investigators pursued the angle of robbery as the primary motive behind the brutal killings.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the cyber cell, dog squad, and forensic science laboratory teams were dispatched to the scene. Police formed multiple specialized teams and scoured neighboring regions for suspects, ultimately leading to a breakthrough.
Planning driven by romantic ties and financial motives
Based on physical evidence and technical intelligence gathered by the cyber cell, police arrested Kanha alias Karan, son of Vishnu from Durgapura in Manasa and currently residing in Sagoria under Shamgarh police station; Pawan, son of Udayram from Satalkhedi in Bhanpura; and Santoshbai alias Santa, wife of Amarlal from Bhatkhedi in Nahargarh and currently residing in Chandbarda.
During custodial interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to executing the crime. Police revealed that Santoshbai had been living separately from her husband for roughly two years at her parents' home in Chandbarda. During this period, she developed a romantic relationship with Kanha alias Karan. Investigators stated that Karan, alongside his associates Pawan and Rajesh, plotted the robbery to acquire money.
Woman provided key details about the victims
Authorities disclosed that Santoshbai had tipped off the other conspirators, informing them that Devilal and Bhulibai lived alone in the isolated farm hut and that Bhulibai wore heavy silver ankle rings. Armed with this inside information, the accused reached the hut during the intervening night of August 24 and 25 and assaulted the sleeping couple with heavy stones.
The attack caused Devilal to die on the spot, while leaving Bhulibai severely wounded. The perpetrators then stripped the silver ankle ornaments from her legs before fleeing the scene.
Suicide note left by one of the accused
According to police statements, Rajesh Keer, a resident of Rajgarh in Jhalawar district, Rajasthan, who was currently living in Manasa and participated in the crime, penned a suicide note shortly after the incident. He subsequently hanged himself at his residence in Manasa. Police stated that the recovery of the suicide note mentioned the elderly couple's murder and the accompanying robbery. Authorities are continuing their interrogation of the detained suspects and further examining the sequence of events and additional evidence.
