Ganesha idol sculptor shot dead in Jabalpur; old enmity suspected
Synopsis
A Ganesha idol sculptor was shot dead at his makeshift pandal in Jabalpur at 2 am — just moments after finishing work on a festive idol. Police suspect a long-standing personal dispute involving a named individual may be behind the killing, but the assailants remain at large as investigators comb CCTV footage.
Key Takeaways
Manoj Sonkar , 48, a Ganesha idol sculptor, was shot dead in Bhantalaiya Sindhi Camp, Jabalpur on 5 September .
The attack occurred between 2 am and 3 am ; two to three unidentified youths arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire before fleeing.
Sonkar was shot in the abdomen and succumbed to injuries at the district hospital.
ASP Ayush Jakhar said preliminary investigation points to a long-standing dispute with Shubham Maratha and others as a possible motive.
Police are examining CCTV footage , questioning eyewitnesses, and analysing technical evidence to identify the accused.
A 48-year-old Ganesha idol sculptor, Babba alias Manoj Sonkar, was shot dead by two to three unidentified assailants in the Bhantalaiya Sindhi Camp area of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, in the early hours of Saturday, 5 September. Police said preliminary investigation points to an old enmity as the likely motive behind the killing.
How the Incident Unfolded
The attack occurred between 2 am and 3 am in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. Sonkar had been working through the night on a Ganesha idol at a makeshift pandal near his home — a task he had taken up every festive season for several years. Shortly after finishing his work, he stepped outside the pandal for a break.
At that moment, two to three youths who had arrived on a motorcycle allegedly opened fire on him and fled the scene. A bullet struck Sonkar in the abdomen. Nearby workers engaged in idol-making heard the gunshots and rushed to help, taking him first to Hanumantal police station and then to the district hospital. Doctors attempted to save him, but Sonkar succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
What Police Have Said
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ayush Jakhar, who reached the spot with his team shortly after being informed, confirmed that the preliminary investigation suggests an old personal dispute may have driven the attack. 'Manoj Sonkar had a long-standing dispute with Shubham Maratha and a few other people. Even his family members are currently unable to ascertain the exact reason behind the incident,' Jakhar said.
Police believe three to four individuals may have been involved in the crime, though their individual roles are yet to be established. 'Police teams are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas and questioning eyewitnesses. Technical evidence is also being analysed to identify and trace the accused,' the ASP added.
Investigation Under Way
Investigators have inspected the crime scene and begun collecting evidence. CCTV cameras installed near the site of the shooting are being reviewed to track the movement of the suspected assailants. Eyewitnesses and people acquainted with the deceased are being questioned as part of the ongoing probe.
Police said efforts were underway to formally identify the accused and establish the precise motive behind the killing. The exact circumstances leading to the shooting are expected to become clearer as the investigation progresses.
Context and Significance
The killing took place during the lead-up to the Ganesh Chaturthi festive season, when idol sculptors like Sonkar typically work overnight shifts to meet demand. This is the kind of setting — crowded makeshift workshops, late-night activity — that investigators say can both obscure and expose criminal movement, making CCTV analysis particularly critical in this case. Further details are awaited as the probe continues.
Point of View
Often without prior police intelligence. The fact that even the victim's family cannot immediately explain the motive suggests either a suppressed conflict or wider social tensions. The named suspect, Shubham Maratha, gives investigators a thread, but the absence of an arrest within hours of a brazen motorcycle shooting raises questions about local surveillance infrastructure. Whether CCTV yields actionable leads will be the first real test of this investigation.
NationPress
5 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Manoj Sonkar and why was he killed?
Manoj Sonkar, also known as Babba, was a 48-year-old idol sculptor from Jabalpur who made Ganesha idols during the festive season. Police suspect an old personal enmity — reportedly involving a man named Shubham Maratha — may have motivated the killing, though the exact motive is still under investigation.
When and where did the Jabalpur sculptor shooting take place?
The shooting occurred between 2 am and 3 am in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, 5 September, in the Bhantalaiya Sindhi Camp area of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Sonkar had just stepped out of a makeshift pandal after completing work on a Ganesha idol.
Have the accused been arrested?
No arrests had been made as of the initial police statement. Police said two to three unidentified youths fled on a motorcycle after the shooting, and three to four people are suspected to have been involved in total. Investigators are examining CCTV footage and questioning witnesses to identify and trace the accused.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Additional SP Ayush Jakhar confirmed that CCTV cameras near the crime scene are being reviewed, eyewitnesses are being questioned, and technical evidence is being analysed. The individual roles of the suspected assailants and the precise circumstances of the shooting are yet to be established.
What is the significance of the timing during Ganesh Chaturthi?
Sonkar was among many sculptors working overnight shifts ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The festive season creates busy, crowded conditions around makeshift pandals, which police are now using — through nearby CCTV networks — to trace the movement of the suspected assailants.
