MLA’s husband hatched murder conspiracy:Dispute began over district panchayat politics, even CM could not save BSP leader

In Part 1 of the Madhya Pradesh Crime Files series, it was revealed how BSP leader and contractor Devendra Chaurasia was brutally attacked at his tar-crusher plant in Hatta, Damoh, on the morning of March 15, 2019. Devendra had arrived at the plant with his son Somesh and other family members when 25 to 30 assailants, arriving in multiple vehicles, allegedly surrounded and attacked him with lethal intent. He succumbed to his injuries a few hours later. Just three days before the murder, Devendra had met then Chief Minister Kamal Nath and informed him about threats to his life. He had also joined the Congress party shortly before the attack. Following the murder, allegations were levelled against Patharia MLA Rambai Singh Parihar’s husband Govind Singh, members of his family and their supporters. Investigators later found that the conflict was not merely personal rivalry but deeply rooted in district panchayat politics, power equations and a battle for political dominance in the region. Political tension began with no-confidence motion According to Devendra’s son Somesh, tensions escalated after nine members of the district panchayat moved a no-confidence motion against District Panchayat President Shivcharan Patel. The hearing on the motion was scheduled for February 12, 2019. As soon as Shivcharan Patel and MLA Rambai learned about the development, pressure allegedly began mounting on Devendra Chaurasia to stay away from the political exercise. Somesh claimed that both Devendra and Rambai were associated with the BSP at the time, and Devendra was warned of serious consequences if he continued supporting the opposition camp. Family alleged murder was pre-planned Devendra Chaurasia’s family told the court that the attack was entirely premeditated. Mahesh Chaurasia alleged that District Panchayat President Shivcharan Patel and MLA Rambai jointly orchestrated the conspiracy. According to the family, the main accused included Shivcharan Patel’s son Indrapal Patel, Rambai’s husband Govind Singh, her brother-in-law Kaushlendra alias Chandu, nephew Golu alias Dipendra Thakur and Lokesh Singh. Defence claimed political vendetta The defence, however, presented a different narrative before the court, describing the case as an act of political revenge. Shivcharan Patel admitted in court that he had political rivalry with Devendra Chaurasia. He stated that Devendra had sought his support during elections, but he had refused, which allegedly intensified bitterness between the two camps. MLA Rambai Singh Parihar also claimed that her husband and relatives were falsely implicated as part of a political conspiracy. According to her, Devendra and his family had turned politically hostile towards her after she won the 2018 Assembly elections. Accused remained absconding for months Several accused remained absconding for a long period after the murder. The arrest of Govind Singh, husband of the MLA, was also delayed. During this period, Devendra Chaurasia’s family accused the Congress government of attempting to weaken the case and shield the main accused. As pressure mounted, the government eventually intensified action and all accused were arrested within a few months. Trial continued for five years The case remained one of the most high-profile criminal trials in Madhya Pradesh. During proceedings in the Dewas District Court, statements of 59 prosecution witnesses and 19 defence witnesses were recorded. Police submitted CCTV footage, medical reports, call records and call detail records (CDRs) as technical evidence before the court. High Court upholds life sentence of seven convicts The convicts later challenged the lower court’s verdict in the High Court. Meanwhile, Devendra Chaurasia’s son Somesh filed a separate appeal seeking the death penalty for the accused. After hearing all petitions, the High Court delivered its detailed judgment on January 20, 2026. The court upheld life imprisonment for seven accused, while acquitting 18 others due to lack of sufficient evidence. The seven whose convictions were upheld included Govind Parihar, husband of MLA Rambai Parihar; Kaushlendra alias Chandu Parihar; Golu Parihar; Indrapal Patel; Amjad Boota; Shriram Sharma; and Lokesh Patel.