RAIPUR: A 50-year-old grocery store owner in Chhattisgarh’s Balodabazar district has confessed to killing eight men over a span of four months, telling police he targeted neighbours and acquaintances over loans, land disputes, political arguments, public taunts and other personal grudges.The arrest of Ramsahay Jaiswal brought an end to weeks of fear, rumours and speculation in Kharve village of Kasdol block, where a string of mysterious deaths had sparked talk of occult practices and black magic. Investigators now say the deaths were the work of a calculated serial killer who allegedly poisoned his victims between February and May.Police revealed that Jaiswal first tested the poison on a stray dog after procuring borax powder from a fellow villager under the pretext of using it to kill rodents. After confirming its lethal effect, he allegedly began inviting his targets for drinks and secretly mixed the toxic substance into their liquor.According to investigators, Jaiswal carefully concealed his role in the deaths. He accompanied victims to hospitals when they fell ill, posed as a concerned neighbour, and even participated in funerals and burials to avoid attracting suspicion.The case began to unravel after villagers noticed an unusual pattern in the deaths and submitted a joint complaint to the sub-divisional officer of police on June 6. As the probe intensified, a special forensic team exhumed the remains of seven of the eight victims for examination.Baloda Bazar Superintendent of Police OP Sharma said the accused provided a detailed confession explaining how he selected and eliminated each victim. However, forensic reports confirming the exact chemical composition of the poison are still awaited.Investigators said Jaiswal killed one victim, Chaituram Sahu, to avoid repaying a loan of Rs 50,000. Another victim, Gajanand Manjhi, was allegedly targeted because Jaiswal believed he was practising black magic against him. Butalu Sahu and Mahetaru Sahu were reportedly poisoned following a political dispute and public ridicule after the 2023 Assembly elections. The remaining victims were allegedly killed over land feuds, family honour issues and repeated verbal insults.The alleged killing spree was interrupted on April 14 when Kartik Kumhar, believed to be Jaiswal’s ninth target, survived after falling critically ill from poisoned liquor and receiving timely medical treatment.Police have booked Jaiswal for eight murders and one count of attempted murder.
