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"Just outcome": In a gripping saga from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, Pankaj Upadhyay's brutal murder caught on CCTV lead to swift justice, arrests and the bulldozing of illegal constructions mark a determined fight against crime and urban encroachment

Bulldozer hits the house of murder accused, corporation takes action after complaint to Home Minister
 |  Satyaagrah  |  News
Murder captured on CCTV shows attackers brutally assaulting Pankaj Upadhyay and his friend with a spade over a minor dispute.
Murder captured on CCTV shows attackers brutally assaulting Pankaj Upadhyay and his friend with a spade over a minor dispute.

In a shocking display of violence in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, a group attacked two young men using sticks and a shovel, leading to the death of one and leaving the other in a grave condition. This gruesome event, captured on local CCTV, has sent shockwaves through the community. Authorities have since detained five individuals linked to this brutal assault.

A distressing video capturing the assault has made its way online, showing the aggressors mercilessly beating the victims on the ground. The footage reveals a horrifying moment where one assailant uses a shovel to strike one of the young men. The relentless assault continues until the victim ceases to move. Subsequently, this assailant, along with another, turns their attention to the second victim, intensifying their violent onslaught on him.

In-depth Look at the Bilaspur Tragedy

The tragic event unfolded in the late hours of February 14th within the confines of Khamtarai Housing Board Colony, near the Bilaspur police jurisdiction. Pankaj Upadhyay and his companion, known as Kallu, found themselves amidst an unforeseen confrontation while riding a motorcycle past Gopi Suryavanshi's residence located on Main Road. Reports from the locality indicate that Gopi, along with his brothers, was busy preparing construction materials right outside their home.

A dispute erupted over the inconvenience caused by the construction materials — cement, sand, and gravel — strewn across the road. The disagreement between Pankaj, Kallu, and the Suryavanshi household soon took a violent turn, leading to a fierce clash. The Suryavanshis, supported by others in the vicinity, resorted to using sticks and other makeshift weapons, inflicting grave injuries on both Pankaj and Kallu.

Authorities were alerted to the chaos, prompting immediate response from the Sarankhda police unit. Upon their arrival, the officers coordinated emergency services, ensuring the victims were expedited to SIMS Hospital for urgent care. Despite the medical team's efforts, Pankaj's injuries proved fatal, and he passed away while under treatment. Kallu, on the other hand, battles for his life in a critical state, painting a somber picture of the incident's aftermath.

Legal Action and Arrests Following Bilaspur Violence

Following the grievous incident in Bilaspur, law enforcement authorities have taken decisive action by apprehending five suspects implicated in the attack. The individuals arrested include Tilakesh alias Sallu Suryavanshi, Rupesh Shukla, Shiv Shukla, and Gopi Suryavanshi. Additionally, a juvenile among them has also been taken into custody. These arrests reflect the police's swift response to the violent outbreak that resulted in one fatality and left another person fighting for their life.

The legal proceedings against the accused have been initiated, with charges lodged under several significant sections of the Indian Penal Code. These charges encompass a range of offenses, from rioting (Section 147) and rioting armed with deadly weapons (Section 148) to being part of an unlawful assembly (Section 149). Moreover, they face severe accusations of attempt to murder (Section 307) and the charge of murder (Section 302), highlighting the gravity of their alleged actions during the incident. This legal action underscores the commitment of the police to hold those responsible accountable and to uphold justice for the victims and their families.

Enforcement Action Against Accused's Property in Bilaspur Murder Case

In a significant move following the brutal murder of 23-year-old Pankaj Upadhyay in Bilaspur, authorities have executed a dramatic operation against the accused individuals. Bulldozers were deployed to demolish the homes of those charged in this grim incident, which took place near Arpapar Khamtarai Atal Chowk on the evening of February 14th. This action was initiated under the directive of the Corporation Commissioner, following a murder related to a dispute over building materials obstructing the road. The Bilaspur Municipal Corporation has also seized construction materials found on government land that was being illegally occupied.

The incident that led to these drastic measures occurred at around 11:30 pm on February 14th in the Khamtarai area, within the jurisdiction of the Sarkanda police station. The confrontation began when Gopi Suryavanshi and her family were discovered spreading building materials on the road for their home and shop renovations. Pankaj Upadhyay and his friend Kallu, who were merely passing by, raised objections to the road blockage. This objection quickly escalated into a violent altercation, with Gopi Suryavanshi, her sons, and a female family member launching a lethal assault on Upadhyay, leading to his death and leaving his friend severely injured.

Authorities responded swiftly to the incident, arresting all individuals involved within hours. The circulation of CCTV footage capturing the heinous act has left the local community in shock, revealing the merciless nature of the attack on Upadhyay. The police have also conducted a public display of the accused, underscoring their commitment to justice and transparency in the wake of such a tragic event.

Following the tragic murder of Pankaj Upadhyay, his grieving family members made a heartfelt appeal to Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma and Deputy CM Arun Sao. They sought justice for their son, urging for severe consequences for the culprits, including the use of bulldozers against the properties of those accused. Heeding this call, law enforcement initiated a thorough investigation into the illegal occupancy of residences and commercial spaces by the accused, spearheaded by Municipal Corporation Commissioner Amit Kumar.

In a decisive move to address these illegal activities, the Municipal Corporation issued a notice. This notice, which was a 24-hour ultimatum, targeted the unlawful constructions erected on a cremation ground by the accused. Under Commissioner Amit Kumar's guidance, the properties located in Atal Chowk—belonging to Tilkesh alias Sallu Suryavanshi, Rupesh Suryavanshi, Shiv Suryavanshi, Gopi Suryavanshi, and Ishwari Suryavanshi—were meticulously inspected.

A significant development ensued when Corporation Attack Ravi R arrived at the premises of the accused. There, he affixed a notice demanding the demolition of the illegally built structures within a 24-hour timeframe. This action represents a firm stance by the authorities against the illegal encroachments and constructions, signaling a commitment to uphold law and order in the wake of the heinous crime that shook the community.

On a decisive Sunday, officials from the Municipal Corporation visited Kamkara, marking a critical step in the ongoing response to the Bilaspur murder case. They delivered a formal notice, grounded in Sections 322 and 323 of the Municipal Corporation Act of 1956, to the residence of those accused in the murder. This notice questioned the legality of constructions made on government land, which were established in violation of regulatory standards. The accused were given a chance to respond to these allegations, and upon their failure to do so, they faced an ultimatum: the demolition of their property as mandated by the Act. Furthermore, Section 307(3) of the Act was invoked, issuing a warning that any construction undertaken without proper authorization would be subject to demolition, necessitating a prompt response from the property owners.

Municipal Corporation Building Construction Officer Suresh Sharma shed light on the situation, stating that Gopi Suryavanshi and his brothers had erected residential and commercial structures on a parcel of land identified as Khasra No. 572/1, situated near Atal Chowk. This plot of land is officially classified as grassland in government records, explicitly indicating that it is not eligible for any form of residential or commercial development. This action underscores the commitment of municipal authorities to enforce local laws strictly and maintain the integrity of public lands, ensuring that illegal constructions are addressed with the full force of the law.

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