A market, a meeting and a failed ‘murder’ plot — a Chhattisgarh Deputy SP’s narrow escape in Dantewada – Knoow.in

According to the preliminary probe, the woman had contacted the Deputy SP over the phone to discuss an issue, after which the officer asked her to meet him in Dantewada, where he had to attend a police hearing.

A Deputy Superintendent of Police was injured in a knife attack in a market area of Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district Friday afternoon. Police suspect an ex-Army constable and a woman who had earlier lodged a rape case against the officer to be involved in the attack.

The incident took place around 2.30 pm in a market near the collectorate when the officer, identified as Tomesh Verma, was speaking with the woman suspect, Rama Shankar Sahu. The ex-Army constable accompanying her allegedly pulled out a knife and attacked him, injuring his neck. A police jawan at the spot rushed to Verma’s help.

The officer was taken to the Dantewada district hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. The accused tried to flee but were apprehended after a short chase.

Sources said the woman accused is a distant relative of the injured officer and had earlier lodged a rape case against him in Durg district. The officer, who has been posted in Sukma district for the last several years, was acquitted in the case in September.

According to the preliminary probe, the woman had contacted the Deputy SP over the phone to discuss an issue, after which the officer asked her to meet him in Dantewada, where he had to attend a police hearing. “He had no idea that the woman and her male friend had planned to murder him,” a police source told The Indian Express.

The officer was allegedly attacked as he came out of the court after completing his work.

“The neck injury is long and deep but fortunately a police jawan was at the spot who rushed the officer to a hospital,” another source said. An FIR for attempted murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered against the duo, and they have been arrested.

Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India.

Expertise and Experience
Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of:

Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible “heartland” villages.

Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states.

Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering:

Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements.

Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law.

Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in:

Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel.

Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India.

Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. … Read More