Raipur, April 3 (NationPress) Authorities have detained five individuals linked to the horrific murder of a 29-year-old man who was viciously attacked and buried alive in a mining pit close to Abhanpur recently.

The deceased, a Pakistani national residing in Raipur while awaiting citizenship, tragically passed away five days later due to soil obstructing his mouth and airway.

“One suspect remains at large,” an investigator disclosed to IANS. The victim, Nitesh Batra, resided in Sadani Darbar, Raipur, and was not an Indian citizen but was employed in the locality.

The primary suspect, Shyam Sundar Soni, a vegetable vendor, was allegedly involved in a romantic relationship with a woman.

On the night of March 16, Nitesh visited Shyam’s residence, which led to a heated dispute escalating into violence. Shyam, alongside two employees, severely assaulted Nitesh with a wooden stick, resulting in critical head injuries.

“In what appeared to be a semi-conscious state, the victim was placed into an auto-rickshaw and taken approximately 40 km to a secluded murum (red soil) mining site situated between Parsulidih and Filgabhatta village, near the Madhya Pradesh border. There, the accused allegedly continued to assault him, attempted to strangle him with a gamcha, and ultimately buried him alive,” police stated.

The auto-rickshaw’s route crossed through the jurisdictions of four police stations—Moudhapara, Mana, Tikrapara, and Abhanpur—raising significant concerns about police vigilance during the transit.

The body was found on March 21 in a gravel-filled roadside ditch near Bharavgabhata, with one hand and a leg protruding from the earth. A post-mortem examination confirmed he had been buried alive, according to police officials.

Abhanpur police have filed a case and apprehended five suspects from Uttar Pradesh, including Shyam Sundar Soni, Sonia Sahu, Sumit Kosle, along with two minors. One additional suspect remains at large. Police recovered an auto-rickshaw, wooden sticks, and other evidence.

“This is a heinous and deeply shocking crime. The accused displayed extreme brutality by burying a semi-conscious individual alive. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to locate the remaining suspect. Stringent measures will be enforced against all parties involved,” stated another police official.

“We are examining all aspects, including potential negligence. The accused will be presented in court, and we will ensure justice for the victim,” another senior police figure remarked.

The incident has sent shockwaves through Raipur, with residents urging for tighter highway patrols and improved inter-station coordination to avert such occurrences. The investigation is continuing to unravel the complete sequence of events and the involvement of each suspect.