Marital dispute turns violent as two families clash with stones outside Manasa court, 8 arrested

Indore: Shopkeepers were forced to pull down shutters and passersby ran for cover after members of two families involved in a long-standing marital dispute clashed and hurled stones at each other outside the Manasa court complex in Neemuch district on Monday evening. The violence triggered panic in the area and disrupted traffic movement on the main road.

Neemuch SP Rajesh Vyas said eight people were arrested from the spot, of whom five were sent to jail and three were granted bail from the SDM court. A video of the incident shared on Tuesday showed men from both sides pelting stones in full public view outside the court premises.

Police said the dispute stemmed from a marriage solemnised four years ago between a woman from Malaheda village and a man from Sawan Kund, with the woman’s in-laws allegedly refusing to take her back. On Monday evening, the woman’s maternal uncle reached the Manasa court when members of both families came face to face; the argument quickly escalated into stone pelting and assault outside the court complex.

On receiving information, Manasa police station in-charge Nilesh Awasthi rushed to the spot with force personnel and detained those involved. The accused were booked for disturbing public peace and produced before the SDM court. Those arrested were identified as Jaipal, Pratap, Banshilal, Mukesh, Madanlal, Prahlad and Jagdish, all residents of different villages in the area.

Manasa SDM Kiran Anjana said strict action would be taken against anyone disturbing law and order in public places. SP Vyas said police had registered cross-FIRs. Based on a complaint by Kailashi Bai of Sawan Kund, a case was filed against Pappu, Gopi, Sonu, Sarwan and Nahar Singh. In a counter-complaint by Sonu Banjara of Malaheda, police booked Ravi, Inder Singh, Kailashi Bai and Arjun.

Following SDM court orders, Mukesh (son of Jor Singh Banjara of Data), Prahlad (son of Amar Singh Banjara of Kana Ki Barad), Jagdish (son of Roopa Banjara of Sakariya Khedi) and Madanlal (son of Mangilal Banjara of Sawan Kund) were sent to jail.