In February, 58-year-old Badri Patel was found dead on a cot in his courtyard in Kharve village, Chhattisgarh. In March, former sarpanch Chhaturam Sahu, aged 59, felt unwell during funeral preparations and collapsed. Later that month, 38-year-old Vinod Sahu was discovered slumped near the river. These were among eight deaths in the village of about 1,000 people in Baloda Bazar district over five months. All victims had drunk with local shop owner Ramsahay Jaiswal, who was arrested on June 22. Police say he mixed rat poison into locally made alcohol, causing deaths within 15 minutes. Most victims were in their 50s and regular drinking companions. Investigators believe personal disputes and property issues motivated the acts. Initial deaths were attributed to natural causes. Concerns grew after younger victim Vinod Sahu died in March. Villagers later connected the cases following another death in May. The village, split into old and new sections around a central peepal tree, was deeply shocked by the crimes.
