Chhattisgarh: NIA files chargesheet against 5 Maoists for Army jawan’s murder

A soldier of the Indian Army was shot dead by Maoist cadres in February 2023 while visiting his family in Useli village in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district

Published on: Aug 30, 2025, 13:28:05 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Raipur: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a supplementary chargesheet against five members of the banned CPI (Maoist) for their involvement in the murder of an Indian Army personnel in Kanker district in 2023, officials said on Saturday.

The case was originally registered by local police and later taken over by the NIA in February 2024. (Representational image)

The chargesheet was filed on Friday before the NIA special court in Jagdalpur against Bhawan Lal Jain, Suresh Kumar Salam, Shailendra Kumar Baghel, Anduram Salam and Sonu Hemla under provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, in case RC-13/2024/NIA/RPR.

According to the NIA press release, Motiram Achala, a soldier of the Indian Army, was shot dead by Maoist cadres in February 2023 while visiting his family in Useli village under Amabeda police station limits of Kanker district. He was attacked at a village fair in full public view.

Investigations revealed that four of the accused — Bhawan Lal Jain, Suresh Kumar Salam, Shailendra Kumar Baghel and Anduram Salam — were active overground workers of the CPI (Maoist), while Sonu Hemla was an armed cadre of the Kuyemari Area Committee of the outfit’s North Bastar Division.

Along with a senior Maoist leader, they had identified Achala and carried out the killing in the local market, the NIA said.

All five accused were arrested in March this year in connection with the conspiracy. The NIA had earlier filed a chargesheet in June against another accused, Ashu Korsa, in the same case.

The case was originally registered by local police and later taken over by the NIA in February 2024.

The agency said the killing was part of a larger conspiracy to spread terror among local residents. Further investigation in the case is under way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

Home/Cities/Others/Chhattisgarh: NIA Files Chargesheet Against 5 Maoists For Army Jawan’s Murder