RAIPUR: The Raipur court sentenced a man to death for the brutal murder of a four-year-old boy, Harsh Chetan, in a case described as “rarest of the rare.” The perpetrator, Panchram Gendre, committed the crime to take revenge on the child’s mother after she rejected his advances. This verdict marks the first death penalty pronounced in Raipur in 46 years.
The court emphasized that showing leniency would embolden criminals and undermine the judiciary’s role in upholding justice. It ordered that the convict be hanged until death, considering his lack of remorse and the heinous nature of the crime.
Pushpa Chetan, 29, the wife of Jayendra Chetan from Janjgir-Champa district, lived in Ashok Baghel’s house in Ward No. 4, Urla Police Station area, Raipur. On April 5, 2022, she reported to the police that her neighbor, Panchram, took her children, Divyansh (5) and Harsh (4), for a motorcycle ride around 9.30 am.
Though Divyansh returned following Pushpa’s intervention, Harsh insisted on another ride. Tragically, the accused executed his plan of revenge by purchasing petrol and setting the child on fire in an isolated area between Nevnara and Akolikhar villages.
During interrogation, Panchram revealed his motive, stating, “Pushpa used to ignore me when I tried to talk to her. This infuriated me, and I decided to teach her a lesson by killing her children.”
The accused bought petrol in a two-litre can, took the children for a ride, and after returning Divyansh, he took Harsh to a secluded spot. There, he wrapped the child in a towel, doused him with petrol, and set him on fire.
After the incident, Panchram fled to Nagpur, where he was arrested two days later. The police tracked him using his mother’s mobile phone. He had sold his motorcycle for Rs 25,000 and collected an advance of Rs 15,000 in Durg before fleeing to Nagpur.
The case was investigated by DSP Suresh Kumar Dhruw and SHO Bharatlal Barteh, with Additional Public Prosecutors Rajendra Jain and Pareshwar Bagh representing the state.
Jayendra Chetan, the victim’s father, recounted the horror, “The accused lived in the same building and acted like an uncle to my children, often giving them sweets. I never suspected his intentions.”
Jayendra added that the crime devastated their family, especially his wife, whose health deteriorated after the tragedy. The family eventually returned to their village in Janjgir-Champa, burdened with debt.
The accused, who had a history of criminal behavior, had been jailed earlier for arson at a school in Berla Hasda, Bemetara district.
The court’s ruling marks a significant moment in Raipur’s judicial history, with the death sentence underscoring the gravity of the crime. It serves as a stern warning against such heinous acts, ensuring that justice is delivered to victims and their families.