Satwas self-immolation case, documents reveal earlier drain settlement:Official reversal led to demolition action prompting Vyas couple to protest before setting themselves ablaze

The Vyas couple from Satwas in Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas district, who set themselves on fire after a dispute over an alleged encroachment, are currently undergoing treatment in Indore. Santosh Vyas and his wife Jaishree Vyas poured petrol over themselves and set themselves alight on December 24. While Santosh Vyas’s condition has stabilised, Jaishree Vyas remains in a critical condition. Meanwhile, documents accessed by Dainik Bhaskar reveal that the long-running dispute between the Vyas family and their neighbours, Mohan Bairagi and Omprakash Bairagi, over a drain had been formally resolved nearly six months before the incident. Compromise reached under former Tehsildar According to the documents, the dispute was settled after intervention by then Tehsildar Hariom Thakur. He examined records submitted by both the Vyas and Bairagi families and conducted a site inspection. Following this, a written compromise was reached between both sides. However, after the appointment of the new Tehsildar, Arvind Diwakar, officials allegedly took a different stand. It has emerged that Diwakar supported the Bairagi family, ignoring the earlier agreement. This reversal eventually led to the confrontation on December 24, when demolition action was initiated. Drainage issue resolved by pipeline installation Shobhit, nephew of Santosh Vyas, stated that on June 21, 2025, a compromise was reached at a camp organised by the Tehsildar at Satwas Police Station. During this settlement, Mohan Bairagi deposited Rs 5,000 with the Nagar Parishad for laying a pipeline to channel water flowing from the Vyas residence. The Nagar Parishad issued an official receipt for the amount. Subsequently, on July 3, municipal employees installed a pipeline beside the house, resolving the drainage issue. Drainage issue resolved by pipeline installation Shobhit, nephew of Santosh Vyas, stated that on June 21, 2025, a compromise was reached at a camp organised by the Tehsildar at Satwas Police Station. During this settlement, Mohan Bairagi deposited Rs 5,000 with the Nagar Parishad for laying a pipeline to channel water flowing from the Vyas residence. The Nagar Parishad issued an official receipt for the amount. Subsequently, on July 3, municipal employees installed a pipeline beside the house, resolving the drainage issue. Neighbours filed fresh complaint months later Despite the settlement, Mohan Bairagi and Omprakash Bairagi filed a fresh application in September 2025 before SDM Kanhaiyalal Tilwari. They alleged that the drain was blocked, causing water to accumulate on the road and increasing the risk of disease and infection. Around the same time, Santosh Vyas had begun construction work on a second roof of his house. On December 16, the SDM issued a stay order, valid until December 18, restricting construction work related to the drain. Santosh Vyas also submitted documents presenting his version in response. No order to demolish house, claims family According to the family, no court or competent authority issued any order to stop construction of the house itself. However, Tehsildar Arvind Diwakar, allegedly in coordination with the Chief Municipal Officer (CMO) of Nagar Parishad Satwas, arrived without prior notice along with two JCB machines and staff to demolish the structure, citing removal of encroachment. The family maintains that neither the location nor the nature of the alleged encroachment was communicated to them. ‘Set it on fire, it doesn’t matter’, alleged remark Shobhit alleged that on December 24, Santosh Vyas pleaded with the Tehsildar at the site, stating that he had not received any prior notice and that the house represented his entire life’s savings. He requested that the demolition be stopped. According to Shobhit, the Tehsildar responded that even if Vyas were to hang himself, the demolition would still proceed. SDM expressed inability to intervene Before the incident, Santosh Vyas submitted a written application to the SDM at Kannod, requesting intervention to halt the demolition. While the application was accepted and a receipt issued, the SDM reportedly told him that they would not be able to help stop the action. Hours later, the couple took the extreme step that has since shaken the region.