Balaghat, Nov 11 — In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves across Madhya Pradesh, a woman was brutally murdered in broad daylight in Baihar town of Balaghat district on Tuesday. Police said the gruesome killing, captured on mobile phones by bystanders, has triggered widespread outrage and fear in the region.
According to police, the victim, identified as Ritu Bhandarkar, a resident of Amgaon village, was working at a furniture shop in Baihar. She was waiting for a bus when the accused approached her on a motorcycle. Witnesses reported that the two exchanged heated words before the man suddenly pulled out a knife and began stabbing her repeatedly. When she fell to the ground, he slit her throat, killing her on the spot.
Horrifying videos of the attack went viral on social media, showing the assailant attacking the woman and later collapsing beside her. Despite several onlookers witnessing the brutality from close range, none intervened to stop the assault. One of the eyewitnesses, however, informed the police.
A police team soon reached the spot and found the accused lying unconscious near the victim’s body with a blood-stained knife. He was arrested and immediately taken to a hospital for treatment.
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Adarsh Kant Shukla said preliminary investigations suggest that the victim and the accused knew each other. “They had an argument before the attack. The accused will be interrogated once he regains consciousness,” he said.
The body of the deceased has been sent for post-mortem, and a detailed investigation is underway to determine the motive behind the crime. Authorities have condemned the public apathy witnessed during the incident and are reviewing the circumstances leading to the tragic killing.
