Ranchi man kills brother-in-law with weapon, stone in domestic dispute; arrested
Synopsis
A domestic row over kitchen utensils turned fatal in Ranchi's Nichetoli village when a man allegedly attacked and killed his brother-in-law with a sharp weapon and a stone. The accused, who had previously served jail time for attempt to murder, was arrested after locking himself in a room at the scene.
Key Takeaways
Gajendra Singh , 50 , was allegedly murdered by his brother-in-law Bhupesh Khandit in Nichetoli village , Ranchi , on 16 May 2025 .
The attack involved a locally used sharp-edged weapon called a 'Dauli' and a large stone.
The dispute reportedly began over household utensils and the accused refusing to allow cooking for guests.
Bhupesh Khandit had previously served jail time in an attempt-to-murder case , according to investigators.
A Forensic Science Laboratory team from Ranchi was deployed to collect evidence; the body has been sent for post-mortem .
Tamar police station incharge Praveen Kumar Modi led the arrest after the accused locked himself inside the house.
A 50-year-old man was allegedly murdered by his brother-in-law following a domestic dispute in Nichetoli village under the Tamar police station limits in Ranchi district, Jharkhand, on Friday, 16 May 2025, police confirmed. The deceased has been identified as Gajendra Singh, a resident of Runia village in the neighbouring Khunti district.
How the Dispute Unfolded
Gajendra Singh had arrived at his in-laws' house on Thursday along with his wife. According to police, trouble began after the accused, identified as Bhupesh Khandit, allegedly seized control of all household utensils and refused to permit cooking, demanding that the guests return to their village.
The situation deteriorated on Friday morning when Bhupesh's younger sister requested utensils to prepare food and fetch water for the family. During the ensuing argument, Bhupesh allegedly attacked Gajendra repeatedly with a 'Dauli' — a locally used sharp-edged weapon — according to police.
The Fatal Attack
The accused then allegedly smashed Gajendra's head with a large stone lying in the courtyard, killing him on the spot. Bhupesh's younger sister also sustained minor injuries while attempting to intervene and protect her husband.
After the killing, the accused allegedly locked himself inside a room in the house. On receiving information about the incident, Tamar police station incharge Praveen Kumar Modi arrived at the scene with a police team, had the room opened, and arrested the accused.
Accused's Criminal History
Investigators noted that Bhupesh Khandit had previously served jail time in connection with an attempt-to-murder case, according to police. This prior conviction adds significant weight to the current proceedings against him.
Investigation Under Way
Given the gravity of the crime, a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team from Ranchi was called to the spot to collect scientific evidence. The body of Gajendra Singh has been sent for post-mortem examination. Police have launched a detailed investigation into the incident and the underlying cause of the family dispute.
The case highlights the fatal consequences that domestic and familial tensions can escalate to, particularly in rural settings where grievances over household resources can spiral into violence with deadly outcomes.
Point of View
And incidents like this one underscore the absence of early-intervention mechanisms at the panchayat and police outpost level. The FSL deployment signals that investigators are building a forensic record, but the deeper systemic failure — a repeat offender with lethal intent living in close proximity to family members — demands scrutiny beyond this single case.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Ranchi murder case on 16 May 2025?
A 50-year-old man named Gajendra Singh was allegedly murdered by his brother-in-law Bhupesh Khandit in Nichetoli village under Tamar police station limits in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The accused allegedly attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon called a 'Dauli' and then smashed his head with a stone following a domestic dispute over household utensils.
Who is the accused in the Ranchi murder case?
The accused is Bhupesh Khandit, the brother-in-law of the deceased Gajendra Singh. According to investigators, Khandit had previously served jail time in connection with an attempt-to-murder case, making this his second serious violent offence on record.
What triggered the dispute that led to the murder?
According to police, the dispute began when Bhupesh Khandit allegedly took control of all household utensils and refused to allow cooking for his visiting brother-in-law and sister. The situation escalated on Friday morning when his younger sister asked for utensils to prepare food, leading to a heated argument that turned violent.
Has the accused been arrested?
Yes. Bhupesh Khandit was arrested by a team led by Tamar police station incharge Praveen Kumar Modi after the accused locked himself inside a room at the house following the killing. Police had the room opened and took him into custody.
What is the current status of the investigation?
A Forensic Science Laboratory team from Ranchi has been deployed to collect scientific evidence from the scene. The body of Gajendra Singh has been sent for post-mortem examination, and police have launched a detailed investigation into the incident and the family dispute.
