Chhattisgarh journalist, Santosh Kumar Toppo’s parents and brother murdered by hacker over property dispute

On Friday afternoon, the entire family of Aaj Tak district reporter Santosh Kumar Toppo, including his parents and brother, was brutally murdered in a brutal attack over a property dispute in Chhattisgarh’s Surajpur. The incident took place around 1 p.m. on a disputed piece of land in Jagannathpur area.

According to reports, Santosh’s parents Maghe Toppo (57) and Basanti Toppo (55) along with his brother Naresh Toppo (30) had gone to the spot to start farming. The land was at the center of an ongoing family dispute.

While they were there, six-seven members of his extended family arrived at the scene. A verbal argument turned into violence, during which the attackers used axes and sticks.

Basanti and Naresh died on the spot due to severe head injuries. Maghe, who was critically injured, was taken to Ambikapur Medical College but died during treatment.

Santosh’s brother Umesh Toppo managed to escape the attack and informed the villagers. The police were called to the scene and are investigating. The perpetrators fled after the incident and efforts are underway to arrest them.

Initial reports indicated that the disputed land was farmed by the attackers before the court ruled in favor of Santosh’s family. Tensions over the property had been building for months, ultimately leading to a violent confrontation.

Santosh Kumar Toppo was not present during the attack but lost three family members in the incident. Police teams from Khargawa and Pratappur are investigating the case.