Magistrate in Chhattisgarh Receives Death Threat Letter Demanding ₹3 Crore Ransom

Balod – A serious security scare has emerged in Balod district after a judicial magistrate received a threatening letter demanding a ransom of ₹3 crore and warning of dire consequences if the demand was not met.

The incident took place in the jurisdiction of Gundardehi police station, where Civil Judge Senior Division Prashant Kumar Dewangan, posted at the Gunderdehi, received a sealed envelope through postal delivery on March 27 at around 3:25 PM. When the envelope was opened at his office, it contained explicit death threats directed at him and his family.

According to police, the letter warned that failure to pay ₹3 crore would result in the killing of the magistrate and his family. It also included abusive language and serious allegations, accusing the magistrate of corruption, misuse of judicial authority, and delivering biased judgments influenced by bribes. The sender further claimed that court staff were involved in tampering with case files in exchange for illegal payments.

In an apparent attempt to heighten fear, the sender claimed links with a Naxalite organisation. However, officials have not confirmed the authenticity of this claim and are treating it as part of the ongoing investigation.

Following the complaint, a case was registered against an unidentified person at Gundardehi police station. Police said the matter is being handled with urgency given the gravity of the threat. Joint teams comprising the cyber cell and local police have been formed to trace the origin of the letter, including forensic analysis and handwriting examination.

Additional Superintendent of Police Monica Thakur stated that authorities are thoroughly examining all possible angles, including whether the threat is linked to any organised group or an individual attempting extortion while using the Naxalite angle to mislead investigators.

Security around the magistrate’s residence and workplace has been significantly tightened. Police are also reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas and tracking postal records to identify the sender.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to verify the claims made in the letter and ensure the safety of the magistrate and his family.