Chhattisgarh man shoots son dead during domestic fight, injures wife; hangs self later

RAIPUR: A domestic dispute in Chhattisgarh’s Mohla–Manpur–Ambagarh Chowki district spiralled into a double tragedy over the weekend after a man shot dead his 22-year-old son, injured his wife, and later died by suicide. The incident took place in Kunwardalli village. Police identified the deceased son as Shekhar Uike, 22, and the accused, who later killed himself, as Santaram Uike, 48, while his wife, Shanti Bai, suffered pellet injuries from the firing and is undergoing treatment.According to a police statement, Santaram and his wife lived in a small hut outside the village and earned a living by making bricks. On Friday night, Santaram returned home drunk and picked a quarrel with his wife. The argument escalated, and he allegedly assaulted her brutally.Neighbours, hearing the commotion, informed Shekhar about the assault. The young man rushed to the hut and confronted his father, asking why he had beaten his mother. Shekhar tried to pacify him and sat with his mother behind the hut. But the situation turned fatal within minutes.In a fit of rage, Santaram allegedly fetched his country-made muzzle-loading gun and fired at his son at close range. Shekhar died on the spot. Shanti Bai, too, was hit by splinters and collapsed.Villagers took both victims to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared Shekhar dead. The woman is currently under treatment and is stated to be out of danger.Soon after the shooting, Santaram fled the scene. Police and villagers searched for him through Saturday. Late in the night, he was found hanging from a tree near his hut.Inspector Ashwini Rathore said the accused appeared to have taken his life out of shock and remorse. “His body was found a short distance from the crime scene. Initial investigation suggests he committed the murder in a drunken rage,” Rathore said.Mohla–Manpur–Ambagarh Chowki police said Santaram likely realised the gravity of his act after sobering up. “He killed his son in anger while intoxicated. When he came to his senses, guilt might have overtaken him. That remorse appears to have led him to suicide,” police said.A forensic team examined the scene on Sunday, and police have sent both bodies for post-mortem. Officers say they are investigating “every angle” of the case.