BJP leader's death in Damoh exposed as murder disguised as road accident
Synopsis
A road accident in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, turned out to be anything but — police have confirmed that BJP Mandal President Devendra Rajput was deliberately run over twice by a Scorpio in a pre-meditated murder, with an old rivalry as the suspected motive. Two of three accused are in custody; one is still being hunted.
Key Takeaways
Former BJP Mandal President Devendra Rajput , 45 , was killed in Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh , in what police now confirm was a pre-planned murder.
The Scorpio driver struck Rajput, then reversed and ran over him a second time to ensure death, before fleeing.
An abandoned Scorpio on the Jabalpur Bypass road and CCTV footage were key evidence that broke the accident cover story.
An old rivalry involving Rajput has been identified as the likely motive, according to police.
Two of three accused have been arrested; the third suspect remains at large .
Superintendent of Police Anand Kaladgi personally visited the scene and formed a special investigation team.
What initially appeared to be a fatal road accident in Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh, has been unmasked as a pre-planned murder, with police confirming on Thursday, 14 May that former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mandal President Devendra Rajput was deliberately killed in a calculated conspiracy. The 45-year-old leader was run over twice by a Scorpio on the Damoh-Sagar State Highway, according to investigators.
How the Murder Unfolded
Rajput was returning home from the Laxman Kuti Temple when three individuals allegedly targeted him near the Horticulture Department office under the jurisdiction of the Dehat Police Station. Eyewitnesses provided chilling accounts: the Scorpio's driver did not simply strike the victim and flee — he reversed the vehicle and ran over Rajput a second time to ensure the act was fatal, before speeding away. Rajput died on the spot from the severity of his injuries.
Key Breakthrough in the Investigation
The initial probe had proceeded on the assumption of a road accident. However, a review of CCTV footage and eyewitness testimonies directly contradicted that narrative. A critical breakthrough came when investigators discovered an abandoned Scorpio on the Jabalpur Bypass road. Simultaneously, authorities uncovered an old rivalry involving Rajput, which provided investigators with a credible motive for foul play.
Police Response and Arrests
Anand Kaladgi, Superintendent of Police (Damoh), personally visited the crime scene and constituted a special team to track the suspects. A formal murder case was registered against then-unidentified individuals. Within a single day of the intensive manhunt, two of the three accused were taken into custody. The third suspect remains at large, and the search is ongoing.
Impact and What Comes Next
The revelation has sent shockwaves through the local community in Damoh, as evidence confirms the killers deliberately exploited the anonymity of a highway collision to disguise a pre-planned execution. This is a particularly grave incident given the victim's political standing within the BJP at the local level. Authorities say they are conducting an in-depth investigation and are determined to apprehend the remaining accused. The case underscores a broader pattern of targeted violence against local political figures in central India, where factional rivalries have periodically turned deadly.
Point of View
Making them vulnerable targets in factional disputes. The speed of the arrests — within one day — is commendable, but the third accused remaining at large keeps the conspiracy's full picture incomplete.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Devendra Rajput and how did he die?
Devendra Rajput was a 45-year-old former BJP Mandal President from Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh. He was killed when a Scorpio deliberately struck him near the Horticulture Department office on the Damoh-Sagar State Highway; the driver then reversed and ran over him a second time before fleeing.
How did police determine it was murder and not an accident?
CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts contradicted the initial road accident narrative. The discovery of an abandoned Scorpio on the Jabalpur Bypass road, combined with evidence of an old rivalry involving Rajput, confirmed to investigators that the killing was pre-planned.
How many accused have been arrested in the Damoh murder case?
Two of the three accused individuals have been taken into custody within one day of the murder case being registered. The third suspect remains at large and is being actively hunted by a special police team.
Who is leading the investigation into Devendra Rajput's murder?
Superintendent of Police (Damoh) Anand Kaladgi is overseeing the case. He personally visited the crime scene and constituted a special team to track down the suspects.
What was the motive behind the killing of the BJP leader in Damoh?
According to police, an old rivalry involving Devendra Rajput provided the motive for the murder. Investigators have not publicly named the nature of the rivalry, and the inquiry is ongoing.
