Madhya Pradesh: BJP leader shot dead in Katni, one accused's father allegedly dies by suicide

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A shocking incident in Madhya Pradesh’s Katni district on Tuesday has triggered outrage and political tension after BJP Pichda Morcha Mandal President Neelu (Nilesh) Rajak, 38, was shot dead in broad daylight. The father of one of the accused allegedly ended his life soon after learning of his son’s involvement.

According to Katni Superintendent of Police Abhinay Vishwakarma quoted by NDTV, “We have identified the accused and launched an intensive search operation.” The police named the accused as 30-year-old Prince and 33-year-old Akram Khan. “The TI (Town Inspector) and head-constable have been attached to the police lines for negligence,” the SP added.

The shooting took place around 11 am in Kaimor town. Rajak, who was travelling on a motorcycle, was reportedly shot in the head and chest by two men riding another bike. A video circulating online shows the masked attackers opening fire in a crowded market area. Witnesses described “multiple gunshots” and scenes of panic as the BJP leader collapsed on the road.

Hundreds of angry residents quickly gathered at the site, demanding immediate arrests. Supporters and family members of Rajak blocked the road outside Vijayraghavgarh Government Hospital, refusing to permit a postmortem until the culprits were caught. The blockade lasted for nearly six hours and saw the participation of BJP MLA Sanjay Pathak and district president Deepak Tandon Soni.

According to NDTV, the situation escalated further when Pathak claimed that Rajak was targeted because he had intervened in what he described as a ‘love jihad’ case. “A girl had complained that a man was harassing her on her way to school. When Neelu intervened, the man threatened to bomb him,” Pathak alleged. “He told Neelu, ‘I will shoot you in the middle of the road’. A month-and-a-half later, he kept his word.”

As per the report, Pathak went on to say that Rajak “was the only earning member” of his family, leaving behind “a five-year-old daughter and an eleven-year-old son.” The MLA further claimed, “This is not just a murder, it is a message. Some businessmen, policemen, and outsiders are involved. They must be investigated. The accused have also said that they will eliminate me, but I am ready to sacrifice myself for Hindutva.”

The case took a tragic turn when Prince’s father, Nelson Joseph, reportedly died by suicide after learning that his son was one of the suspects, the report said.

NDTV reported to prevent tensions from spiraling into communal unrest, Jabalpur Deputy Inspector General Atul Singh led a flag march through Kaimor. Authorities have promised swift action. “We have said from the beginning that strict action will be taken against those responsible,” SP Vishwakarma reiterated. “Two main accused have been identified -- Akram and Prince -- and are being hunted down.”