Chhattisgarh man arrested for killing eight fellow citizens in four months

The police statement added that the first of these murders took place on February 6, when the victim Badri – who allegedly often harassed the accused with abusive language and demanded alcohol – died after the accused consumed alcohol laced with borax (poison). File image for illustration only | Photo credit: The Hindu

A 46-year-old man has been arrested in Chhattisgarh’s Balodabazar-Bhatapara district for allegedly murdering eight people and attempting to murder one by poisoning at different times between February and June 2026, police said on Tuesday (June 23, 2026).

Ram Sahay Jaiswal, a resident of Kharve village, allegedly served alcoholic drinks laced with poison to all the victims with a clear motive for each crime. The accused confessed to killing the victims due to “old grudges, petty grievances, abuse, character doubts and witchcraft”, Superintendent of Police OP Sharma said, adding that all the victims were men aged 38 and above.

The police statement added that the first of these murders took place on February 6, when the victim Badri – who allegedly often harassed the accused with abusive language and demanded alcohol – died after the accused consumed alcohol laced with borax (poison).

It was on June 6 that local villagers submitted a request to a police official regarding the suspicious deaths of eight people in the village on different occasions from February to May, suspecting Jaiswal’s handiwork.

Following this, an investigation was launched.

“The bodies of seven persons were exhumed and sent to Mekahara Hospital, Raipur for post-mortem. At Raipur Medical Institute, DNA, viscera and other samples of all persons were preserved for forensic examination. Among the deceased, the body of one Budhram Jaiswal was cremated by his family members,” the police added.

Mr. Sharma, SP, said the villagers suspected that Jaiswal was behind the murders as one Kartik, who survived the assassination attempt, told the villagers that Jaiswal had served him a poisoned drink on April 14 after which he fell ill. The police team investigating the case also learned that the accused had obtained borax (poison) from someone in the village under the guise of rat poison.

Starting with the dog

Mr Jaiswal allegedly told the police that he first used rat poison to kill the dog, then committed the first murder.

“After targeting the first victim, accused Ram Sahay Jaiswal’s confidence grew and he targeted Buthala on February 20, 2026,” the SP said.

Due to some enmity with Buthalu, the accused gave alcohol with borax to Buthalu which led to his death,” he added.

Published – 23 Jun 2026 23:05 IST