Police in Satna have solved the murder of a middle-aged man whose decomposed body was recovered near Pashupatinath Dham about a fortnight ago. Investigators have arrested three individuals, including two brothers, in connection with the crime. According to the police, the fatal attack stemmed from a bitter dispute over money lending, exorbitant interest rates, and an ongoing court case. The victim was engaged in lending cash at high interest rates, and tensions escalated when legal proceedings were initiated over an unpaid debt.
Discovery of the Body Following Foul Smell in the Neighbourhood
The crime occurred on the intervening night of September 14 and 15, with the victim identified as Ramashankar Garg. Following the murder, the victim's body remained locked inside his residence for several days. On September 18, local residents noticed an overpowering stench emanating from the locked house and alerted the authorities. Personnel from the Civil Line police station arrived at the scene, gained entry into the house, and discovered Ramashankar's body in an advanced state of decomposition. Police subsequently registered a case of murder and launched a comprehensive investigation.
The Debt of 30,000 Rupees and 10 Percent Monthly Interest
The investigation revealed that Ramashankar Garg regularly lent money at steep interest rates. Approximately two years prior to the incident, he had provided a loan of 30,000 rupees to Ankit Raikwar at an interest rate of 10 percent. As security against the borrowed sum, Ankit had handed over a blank cheque belonging to his younger brother, Sachin Raikwar. When the interest payments ceased, Ramashankar deposited the cheque and subsequently approached the judiciary to initiate cheque bounce proceedings, leading to ongoing hearings in court.
Deadly Escalation Involving a Metal Pot, Knife, and Axe
On the night of the incident, Ankit Raikwar, his brother Sachin, and their relative Neeraj visited Ramashankar's residence. The three men attempted to negotiate a settlement, offering to repay the principal amount in exchange for withdrawing the court case. However, Ramashankar refused to settle solely for the principal sum, insisting on the accumulated interest. The disagreement quickly intensified into a heated confrontation.
As the quarrel turned violent, Ankit allegedly grabbed a metal pot kept in the house and struck Ramashankar. The assailants then attacked him with a knife and an axe, inflicting fatal injuries that caused his death on the spot. After committing the crime, the perpetrators shut the doors of the house and fled the area, leaving the corpse locked inside until neighbours detected the decomposition days later.
Arrest of the Suspects and Ongoing Inquiry
The Civil Line police succeeded in tracking down and apprehending all three accused individuals, namely Ankit Raikwar, Sachin Raikwar, and Neeraj. The investigators are currently interrogating the trio to recover the murder weapons and secure further physical evidence related to the case. Authorities confirmed that the entire tragedy was driven strictly by friction surrounding the financial transaction and unpaid interest.
