Raipur, October 27, 2025 — In a horrifying case of rejection-fuelled violence, a 25-year-old man has been arrested in Baloda Bazar district of Chhattisgarh for brutally murdering a woman he had been in a relationship with, before setting her body on fire to destroy evidence. Police identified the victim as 26-year-old Tejaswini Patel, a resident of Charoti village, whose charred remains were discovered on October 25.

According to a statement released by the Chhattisgarh Police, the accused, Salik Ram Paikara, allegedly attacked Tejaswini with a knife and wooden stick after she refused to resume their relationship. The assault left her with multiple stab and blunt force injuries, and the accused later attempted to cover up the crime by burning her body near a heap of fodder.

Discovery of the Crime Scene

Police were alerted after locals spotted a partially burnt body near an agricultural area in Charoti village early on October 25. Investigators from the City Kotwali police station reached the scene and registered a case under Sections 103(1) (murder) and 238 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — India’s new penal code.

An initial forensic inspection revealed that the woman had suffered severe injuries from a sharp weapon and blunt object, indicating a deliberate and violent assault before the body was set ablaze.

Investigation and Arrest

Baloda Bazar Superintendent of Police Deepak Jha said a special team was constituted to trace the killer. The police began by questioning villagers and members of Tejaswini’s family, who confirmed that she had been in a relationship with Salik Ram Paikara for several months but had ended it recently due to his aggressive and possessive behaviour.

Witness accounts suggested that Paikara had continued to pressure Tejaswini to reconcile despite her repeated refusals. Based on this information, police detained him for questioning.

During interrogation, Paikara confessed to the crime, narrating a chilling sequence of events that began late on the night of October 24.

A Night of Violence and Revenge

According to police sources, Paikara convinced Tejaswini to sneak out of her house around 1:30 to 2:00 am, pretending that he only wanted to talk and mend their relationship. When she refused to get back together, he lost control and attacked her with a knife.

When the victim attempted to resist, he picked up a wooden stick and repeatedly hit her until she collapsed. Once he was sure she was dead, Paikara dragged her body to a nearby field and set it on fire using dry fodder and inflammable material from the surroundings.

After committing the murder, he returned home calmly, went to sleep, and the next morning traveled to another village, pretending that nothing had happened. Police said this behavior indicated premeditation and lack of remorse.

Digital Trail and Fake Identities

In addition to the murder, the investigation has revealed disturbing details about the accused’s online activities. Police found that Paikara had created 19 fake Instagram accounts, often using the names and photos of women, to chat with strangers and possibly lure people into conversations.

Investigators are now examining whether these fake accounts were used to harass women or engage in fraudulent or manipulative online behavior. The cyber cell has been roped in to trace the digital footprints and determine whether any of these online interactions played a role in his escalating obsession with Tejaswini.

Motive: Obsession and Rejection

Police officials described the crime as one rooted in obsessive possessiveness. Tejaswini, who worked as a daily wage labourer like the accused, had reportedly tried to distance herself from Paikara after he began exhibiting controlling and violent tendencies.

A senior officer involved in the case said,

“He could not accept her rejection. He saw it as an insult and decided to take revenge. This was a preplanned act driven by rage and wounded ego.”

Tejaswini’s family told police that she had spoken to them about Paikara’s constant pressure and emotional blackmail, but she never anticipated he would harm her.

Legal Proceedings

Following his confession, Paikara was formally arrested and produced before a magistrate, who remanded him to judicial custody. The police have recovered the murder weapon, traces of burnt material, and Tejaswini’s belongingsfrom the crime scene.

Authorities are awaiting results from the forensic laboratory, which will confirm the sequence of events, including whether any accelerants were used in setting the fire.

Investigators are also preparing to file a charge sheet under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita’s new provisions that treat gender-based killings and destruction of evidence as aggravated offences.

A Growing Pattern of Gender Crimes

This case has reignited concerns over the rising instances of intimate partner violence in India, particularly in smaller towns and rural regions. Experts have noted that many such crimes stem from toxic masculinity, obsession, and the inability to handle rejection, often resulting in extreme acts of violence against women.

Women’s rights groups in Chhattisgarh have called for swift trial and maximum punishment under the law. “We’ve seen far too many cases where women are attacked for exercising their right to say no,” said activist Meera Thakur, who works with victims of domestic violence. “This case shows the urgent need for early intervention, stronger policing, and gender sensitization at the community level.”

Police Statement and Community Shock

The Baloda Bazar district police released a statement confirming the arrest and emphasizing their commitment to ensuring a speedy and fair trial. “The accused will face the strictest punishment permissible under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Evidence collection, forensic analysis, and digital verification are all being conducted meticulously,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Charoti village remains in shock and mourning. Residents described Tejaswini as a “quiet and hardworking woman” who mostly kept to herself. “She was kind, she just wanted to move on with her life,” said one neighbour. “No one deserves to die like this.”

As investigations continue, police are exploring whether premeditation and use of fire to destroy evidence could invoke enhanced punishment under the BNS. The case, marked by brutality and calculated deceit, stands as yet another grim reminder of how rejection and male entitlement continue to fuel gender-based violence across India.