In Chhattisgarh’s Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district, a 20-year-old electrician named Vinay Verma devised a sinister plan to kill Afsar Khan, the husband of a woman he was infatuated with, by sending an improvised explosive device (IED) concealed inside a music speaker as a gift. The speaker was rigged to detonate upon being connected to a power source.
Police investigation revealed that Vinay had searched Google for ways to "commit murder using a bomb without getting caught." However, Afsar Khan grew suspicious and alerted the authorities, enabling the bomb disposal squad to seize and defuse a 2-kg IED. The device contained gelatin sticks, and the speaker’s casing was designed to act as shrapnel during the explosion.
Arrests and Explosives Network Uncovered:
Police arrested Vinay Verma along with five accomplices: Parameshwar Verma, Gopal Verma, Ghasiram Verma, Dilip Dhimar, Gopal Khelwar, and Khilesh Verma. The investigation exposed an illegal explosives smuggling racket originating from stone mines in Durg district. Dilip and Gopal had procured gelatin sticks for ₹6,000, while Ghasiram facilitated their delivery, and Khilesh created a fake courier logo to disguise the package. Authorities recovered 60 gelatin sticks and two detonators during raids.
Vinay’s obsession with Khan’s wife dated back to their college days. After her marriage to Khan, he hatched the murder plot. The foiled attempt not only prevented a tragedy but also led to the dismantling of an explosives trafficking network. District Superintendent of Police Lakshya Sharma confirmed that all accused have been charged, and the investigation continues to uncover further details of the smuggling operation.