Congress leader Halke Raja shot in Chhatarpur, critically injured
Synopsis
A Congress leader was ambushed by armed men on a Madhya Pradesh highway — shot multiple times and beaten with baseball bats in what family members allege was a politically motivated hit tied to local electoral rivalries. With named BJP-linked suspects and a police FIR imminent, the incident threatens to inflame political tensions across Chhatarpur district.
Key Takeaways
Congress leader Halke Raja was critically injured in a firearm attack near Imaliya Tiraaha , Chhatarpur , on Monday evening, 18 May .
Assailants — estimated at 7-8 persons in 2-3 vehicles — fired 6-7 rounds and assaulted him with baseball bats.
Raja sustained gunshot wounds to his legs, thighs, and shoulders ; he is undergoing surgery in Gwalior .
Family members have named Lokpal Singh Bundela , Virendra Singh Bundela , and Satyam Singh as accused, alleging BJP links.
Police say preliminary findings point to an old rivalry ; an FIR is to be registered and search teams have been deployed.
Congress leader Halke Raja was critically injured on Monday evening after unidentified assailants allegedly opened fire at his vehicle near Imaliya Tiraaha in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh. The attack, which also involved assault with baseball bats, has prompted a police search operation and heightened security across the area.
How the Attack Unfolded
The incident took place in Vikrampur village, under the limits of Rajnagar police station, as Raja was returning to his native village from Chhatarpur in a Bolero. According to his nephew, Abhay Raj Singh Bundela, a group of seven to eight armed men travelling in two to three vehicles intercepted and surrounded the Bolero.
'About six to seven rounds were fired at the vehicle. The attackers also assaulted him with baseball bats before fleeing from the spot,' Bundela said. Raja sustained multiple gunshot injuries to his legs, thighs, and shoulders.
Medical Condition and Treatment
Raja was first rushed to a local hospital before being referred to Gwalior after his condition deteriorated. Aniruddh Chaturvedi, overseeing his treatment, confirmed he was admitted with serious firearm injuries.
'He has gunshot wounds on his hands and legs. A team of doctors is treating him in the intensive care unit, and a surgical procedure is currently underway,' Chaturvedi said.
Family Allegations and Political Angle
Family members have named Lokpal Singh Bundela, Virendra Singh Bundela, and Satyam Singh — all residents of the same village — as the accused. They alleged that the named individuals are affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and that the assault stemmed from a long-standing political feud rooted in local elections. The BJP has not yet issued a response to these allegations.
Notably, this attack comes against the backdrop of recurring political violence in Madhya Pradesh's Bundelkhand region, where factional rivalries between dominant local clans have periodically escalated into armed confrontations.
Police Response
Chhatarpur Superintendent of Police Rajat Saklecha confirmed that teams have been deployed to trace the accused and that evidence has been collected from the crime scene.
'Preliminary investigation suggests that the incident is linked to an old dispute. We have collected evidence from the spot and formed teams to trace the accused persons,' Saklecha said. He added that a First Information Report (FIR) would be registered shortly and that strict action would follow. Security has been tightened in and around Vikrampur village to prevent further escalation.
Point of View
But the pattern — armed interception on a public road, multiple shooters, coordinated vehicles — points to a premeditated operation rather than a spontaneous dispute. The family's allegation of BJP links has not been substantiated by police, and attributing political motive before an FIR is even filed risks inflaming tensions further. What is clear is that Bundelkhand's tradition of clan-based electoral violence has not abated; the state administration's response in the next 48 hours — who is arrested, how quickly, and under what charges — will signal whether political accountability applies uniformly or selectively in Madhya Pradesh.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Halke Raja and what happened to him?
Halke Raja is a Congress leader from Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh. He was critically injured on Monday evening, 18 May, when armed assailants allegedly intercepted his vehicle near Imaliya Tiraaha, fired 6-7 rounds, and assaulted him with baseball bats before fleeing.
Where exactly did the Chhatarpur shooting take place?
The attack occurred in Vikrampur village, under the jurisdiction of Rajnagar police station in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh, while Raja was travelling back to his native village from Chhatarpur in a Bolero.
Who has been named as accused in the attack?
Family members have named Lokpal Singh Bundela, Virendra Singh Bundela, and Satyam Singh — all residents of the same village — as accused. The family alleges the three are linked to the BJP, a claim police have not yet confirmed or denied.
What is the current medical condition of Halke Raja?
Halke Raja sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his legs, thighs, and shoulders. After initial treatment at a local hospital, he was referred to Gwalior where he is in the intensive care unit undergoing surgery, according to treating official Aniruddh Chaturvedi.
What action has the police taken so far?
Chhatarpur SP Rajat Saklecha confirmed that evidence has been collected from the crime scene and multiple teams have been deployed to trace the accused. An FIR is set to be registered shortly. Security has also been tightened around Vikrampur village to prevent further tension.
