The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against two more individuals in connection with the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast that took place during the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections in November 2023.
The incident, which occurred in the village of Badegobra in Gariyaband district, targeted a polling team returning from election duty. One Head Constable of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) lost his life in the explosion.
With the latest development, the total number of individuals chargesheeted in the case has risen to 12.
The two newly accused—Dhanesh Ram Dhruw, former Sarpanch of Chotebogra Panchayat, and Ramswarup Markam, a government school headmaster—have been booked under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
According to the NIA, both Dhanesh and Ramswarup provided logistical and financial support to members of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit.
Ramswarup is also alleged to have procured materials such as wires, switches, and firecrackers used in assembling the IED.
Both men are further accused of assisting in the creation of Maoist propaganda materials, including posters and banners aimed at disrupting the electoral process.
Earlier, in December 2023, the agency had filed a chargesheet against 10 individuals, including three identified as Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of the Maoists—Mohan Yadav, Bhupendra Dhruv, and Lakhanlal Yadav.
The case, which was originally registered at Mainpur Police Station, was handed over to the NIA in February 2024. Subsequent searches at the residences of the accused in Badegobra led to the seizure of cash and other incriminating evidence.
