Gunshot, threats and a secret cremation in Chhattisgarh: Illegal hunt cover-up lands 12 in jail

RAIPUR: A 21-year-old man who was accidentally shot dead during an alleged illegal wild boar hunt in Chhattisgarh's Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi was secretly cremated by a dozen of villagers, after threatening his family at gunpoint and erased bloodstains with cow dung to cover up the crime. The alleged conspiracy came to light nearly 20 days later, leading to the arrest of 12 people.Police said Sarwan Singh Kushram, 21, a resident of Darmohli village under Gaurela police station limits, was killed on the night of June 27 when a muzzle-loading gun carried by Ramayan Singh Kushram went off during an illegal hunt for wild boar in a nearby forest.Investigators said Sarwan was part of the group that had called him to help trap a wild boar in a net when the firearm discharged, hitting him in the chest. He died on the spot.Instead of reporting the incident, the accused shifted the body to a house and attempted to destroy evidence. Police said bloodstains inside a room were covered by plastering the floor with cow dung. They also summoned Sarwan's father, Devsharan, and elder brother, Pawan Singh, apologised for the incident but threatened to shoot them if they approached the police.Fearing for their lives, the family cremated the body the next day without informing police. Relatives initially claimed before everyone that Sarwan had died of stomach pain and vomiting blood.The case began to unravel after the village kotwar informed police about the suspicious death. Police, assisted by a forensic team, found traces of blood at the house despite efforts to erase them. About 20 days later, Pawan Singh disclosed the entire sequence of events to the kotwar and police, leading to a detailed investigation.Police have registered a case under BNS and Arms Act. All 12 accused have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.