Encounter After BJP Leader's Murder: Two Accused Shot by Police, One's Father Commits Suicide, Mother Consumes Poison

In a dramatic turn of events in Katni district, Madhya Pradesh, police carried out an encounter late Tuesday night against the two men accused of murdering BJP leader Neelu Rajak. The accused — Akram Khan and Prince Joseph — sustained bullet injuries in their legs during a gunfight with police in the Kajrawara area. Both have been admitted to a hospital in Jabalpur under police custody.

How the Encounter Happened

The police had been tracking the suspects ever since the brutal daylight murder of Neelu Rajak, who was the President of BJP’s OBC Morcha in the Kaimor region and a Bajrang Dal youth leader. Acting on a tip-off, a special police team surrounded the Kajrawara area late at night.

When the suspects realized they were trapped, they opened fire on the police team. In retaliation, the police fired four rounds, injuring both men. The encounter was conducted under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Abhinav Vishwakarma, who confirmed that the operation was in self-defense after the accused fired first.

Family Tragedy After the Killing

Following the murder, Prince Joseph’s father reportedly committed suicide, unable to bear the disgrace of his son’s crime. His mother also consumed poison in a desperate act but was rescued and hospitalized. Doctors have stated that her condition is currently stable.

The incident has added another layer of grief and shock to the already tense atmosphere in Kaimor, where emotions are running high.

The Murder of Neelu Rajak

On Tuesday morning around 11 AM, just 700 meters from Kaimor Police Station, two masked gunmen on a motorcycle shot Neelu Rajak in the chest near Bank of Baroda. He was rushed to Vijayaraghavgarh Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The assassination triggered massive outrage in the locality. Angry residents shut down markets and demanded the immediate arrest of the killers. In response, heavy police forces were deployed, and senior officers, including IG Pramod Verma and DIG Atul Singh, visited the site to review the situation.

Departmental Action and Political Reaction

Due to negligence in handling prior complaints, Kaimor Police Station in-charge Arvind Chaubey and Head Constable Premshankar Patel were transferred to the line. Reports revealed that a month before the murder, accused Akram Khan had publicly threatened to shoot Rajak, even in front of the station officer, but no action was taken.

A departmental inquiry has now been launched to investigate the lapse.

Neelu Rajak, a long-time BJP worker associated with the party for over 18 years, was known for his grassroots involvement. In 2023–24, he was appointed the President of BJP OBC Morcha Mandal. He was also a close aide of former minister and MLA Sanjay Pathak, who immediately suspended his election campaign to visit Kaimor after hearing the news.

State BJP President Hemant Khandelwal has spoken directly with Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and district authorities, urging strict and immediate action against all those responsible.

Current Situation in Katni

Tensions remain high across Kaimor and nearby regions, but the police have ensured that the situation is under control. Senior officers are monitoring developments closely, and a large deployment of police forces continues in the area to prevent any unrest.