Madhya Pradesh woman murdered in broad daylight as bystanders film, accused held

A 22-year-old woman was allegedly murdered in broad daylight by a man in Baihar town of Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district on Tuesday morning, police said, as onlookers reportedly filmed the attack instead of helping her, TOI reported.

The victim, Ritu Bhandarkar, a resident of Samanapur and an attendant at a furniture shop, was on her way to work when the accused, Rohan Sarve, 25, allegedly ambushed her near Aamgaon Fata in Samanapur Chowk and slit her throat with a sharp-edged weapon, TOI reported.

Bystanders made videos instead of helping

A large crowd had gathered at the scene, but instead of assisting her, bystanders allegedly recorded videos of the attack. In the footage, Sarve can be seen repeatedly slashing Ritu’s throat, TOI reported.

Accused arrested and questioned

Police arrested Sarve soon after the incident. Baihar SDPO Karandeep Singh told TOI, “Prima facie, it has surfaced that the deceased and the accused had studied together and knew each other. The girl had recently refused to marry the accused, which may have triggered the crime. The accused is being questioned.”

Outrage and security measures

The daylight murder has sparked widespread outrage in the town, with fear spreading among residents and calls for stricter measures to ensure women’s safety. Police said additional forces have been deployed in Baihar to maintain law and order, and the situation in the town is under control, TOI reported.

(With inputs from TOI)