Teen hires killers for ₹5 lakh to murder parents:Plot hatched with friends after birthday scolding; father and maid dead, mother in critical condition

Police in Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh have cracked the double murder case of Rajendra alias Bablu Patel and his wife Rupa Patel. Investigators found that 18-year-old Alok, also known as Suraj Patel and son of the deceased, had orchestrated the killings. Alok allegedly offered Rs 5 lakh to two of his minor friends to carry out the murders. Police have arrested Alok and the two minors involved, while two other accused remain at large. Resentment over discrimination fuels murder plot During interrogation, Alok claimed he had faced discrimination since childhood. Rajendra had left his first wife, Parvati, to marry Rupa Patel. Alok alleged that his father and stepmother often scolded him and favoured his younger brother, Ayush, in matters of property inheritance. The long-standing resentment reportedly led him to plot the killings. Planned revenge after birthday scolding leads to double murder plot On November 25, on his 18th birthday, Alok was reportedly scolded and slapped by his father for going out with friends. Angered by the incident, he approached a 16-year-old friend and asked him to find youths willing to kill his father and stepmother. On December 4, Alok met another minor and finalised the deal for Rs 5 lakh. The minor secretly recorded the entire conversation on his mobile, providing crucial evidence that helped the police crack the case. Entered house at 1 AM, attacked family while asleep Following the planned plot, the main juvenile accused, Devendra Sonwani, along with another 17-year-old, carried out the attack. Around 1 AM on the night of December 9-10, they reached Lakhanpur, where Alok met them. The group then attacked the sleeping Rajendra, Rupa, and maid Seema Baiga using an axe, crowbar, stick, and grinding stone. Father and maid killed, stepmother critically injured Rajendra Patel and maid Seema Baiga died on the spot during the attack. Seriously injured Rupa Patel was first taken to the district hospital by villagers and then referred to Shahdol and finally to Jabalpur Medical College. Her condition remains critical, and she is currently unable to give a statement. Police have arrested Alok and two minors in connection with the double murder and attempted murder case. The axe, crowbar, stick, and mobile used in the attack have also been seized. Police teams have been dispatched to Chhattisgarh in search of the absconding accused, Devendra Sonwani, and the 17-year-old accomplice.